From Geneva Gazette 5 June 1846
The Genesee Country in 1792
EDITOR OF THE GENEVA GAZETTE:
Dear Sir -- I send you a few extracts from a pamphlet entitled
"A Description of the Genesee Country, in a Series of
Letters from a Gentleman to his Friend," printed towards
the close of the last century.
Very respectfully,
J. Tremper |
"In the year 1790, the Legislature of the State of New York formed into
a county by the name of Ontario, all that part of the State lying west
of a meridian line drawn from the 82d mile stone, on the Pennsylvania
line, to Lake Ontario. Within this is included the tract known by
the name of the Genesee Country -- bounded on the north by Lake
Ontario, on the west by Niagara river and Lake Erie, on the south by
the State of Pennsylvania, and on the east by the counties of Tioga and
Onondaga.
The settlement of the country was begun in the year 1788; but,
separated as it was at that time at such a distance from all other
settlements --
on the south hemmed in by the Allegany mountains, on the east by a
wilderness of one hundred miles, on the north by Lake Ontario, and on
the west by
a wilderness extending to the South Sea -- at the same time having no
communication with the settlements on the eastern coast, but by an
Indian path from the outlet of the Seneca Lake to Fort Schuyler -- it
is not to be wondered
at if it made but little progress in population and improvements for
many
years.
We find by the census taken two years afterwards, that there were
only nine hundred and sixty souls, including all travellers, and
surveyors and their attendants, who happened at that time to be within
the bounds of
the county.
On the 15th February 1792, I left Albany on my route to the Genesee
river; but the country was thought so remote, and so very little known,
that I could not prevail on the owner of the stage to engage farther
than Whitestown, a new settlement at the head of the Mohawk, 100 miles
from Albany. The
road as far as Whitestown had been made passable for wagons, but from
that
to the Genesee river, was but little better than an Indian path,
sufficiently opened to allow a sledge to pass, and some impassable
streams bridged. At Whitestown, I was obliged to change my
carriage, the Albany driver getting alarmed for himself and horses,
when he found that for the next hundred miles we were not only obliged
to take provisions for ourselves, but for our horses, and blankets for
our beds. On leaving Whitestown, we found only a
few struggling huts, scattered along the path from 19 to 20 miles from
each
other; and they affording nothing but the conveniences of fire, and a
kind
of shelter from the snow. On the evening of the third day's
journey
from Whitestown, we were very agreeably surprised to find ourselves on
the
east side of Seneca Lake, which we found perfectly open, free of ice as
in the month of June; the evening was pleasant and agreeable, and what
added
to our surprise and admiration, was to see a boat and canoe plying upon
the lake. After having passed from New York over 360 miles of
country
completely frozen, the village of Geneva, though then consisting of a
few
log houses, after the dreary wilderness we had passed through, added
not
a little to the beauty of the prospect. We forded the outlet of
the
lake, and arrived safely at Geneva.
The situation of this infant settlement on the banks of a sheet of
water 44 miles long by 4 to 6 wide, daily navigated by small craft and
canoes, in the month of February, was a sight as gratifying as it was
unexpected. It appeared that the inhabitants of this delightful
country would by the slight covering of snow on the ground, have all
the conveniences of a northern winter; and by the waters of the Lake
being free from ice, have all the
advantages of this inland navigation -- a combination of advantages,
perhaps,
not to be experienced by any other country in the world.
From Geneva to Canandaigua, the road is only the Indian path, a
little improved; the first five miles over gentle swellings of land,
interspersed with bottoms seemingly very rich; the remainder of the
road to Canandaigua, the county town, 16 miles, was, the greatest part
of the distance, through a heavy timbered, rich land; on this road
there were only two families
settled. Canandaigua, the county town, consisted of two small
frame
houses and a few huts, surrounded with thick woods; the few inhabitants
received me with much hospitality, and I found abundance of excellent
venison.
From Canandaigua to the Genesee river, 26 miles, it is almost totally
uninhabited, only four families residing on the road; the country is
beautiful
and very open, in many places the openings are free of all timber,
appearing
to contain at least 2 or 300 acres, beautifully variegated with hill
and
dale. It seemed that by only enclosing any of them with a
proportionable
quantity of timbered land, an enclosure might be made not inferior to
the
parks in England. At the Genesee river I found a small Indian
store
and tavern; the river was not then frozen over, and so low as to be
fordable. Upon the whole, at this time there were not any
settlements of any consequence in the whole of the Genesee country;
that established by the Friends on
the west side of Seneca Lake, was the most considerable, consisting of
about 40 families. At this period the number of Indians in the
adjoining country was so great, when compared with the few white
inhabitants who ventured to winter in the country, that I found them
under serious apprehension for their safety. Even in this state
of nature, the county of Ontario
shows every sign of future respectability; no man has put the plough in
the ground without being amply repaid; and through the mildness of
winter,
the cattle brought into the country the year before, on very slender
provision
for their subsistence, were thriving well. The clearing of land
for
spring crops is going on with spirit; I also found the settlers
abundantly
supplied with venison."
From Geneva Gazette 24 July 1847
The county of Ontario was organized by act of January 27,
1789, and was taken from Montgomery. It included all the State of
New-York west of this lake, so far as a meridian line drawn from the
82d mile stone on the Pennsylvania line, and stretching to Lake
Ontario, corresponded
with it. About the same time the State and the Indians sold out
their
right to the land lying between this meridian line and the Genesee
river,
forming a tract of country forty-five miles from east to west and
eighty-four
from north to south. The settlement of this country was commenced
in the year 1788, but its progress, for the reasons before mentioned,
was
slow, and at this time the communication with the Seneca lake from the
Mohawk
was nothing but an Indian path. Two years afterwards there were
only
960 persons, including travellers and surveyors with their attendants,
within the district west of the lake; and even the village of Geneva,
situate at the foot of the lake, consisted of only a few log houses.
Westward from Geneva the Indian path continued to the Genesee
river, only four families residing in that distance. In 1792, the
time
spoken of above, there was only a small Indian store and tavern at
Geneva. The Friends, however, had a settlement on the west side
of the lake, near the Miniseta or Long Point. But the
inhabitants, owing to
their fewness compared with the number of Indians, were under serious
apprehensions for their safety. This year a road was opened from
the county of
Ontario southwardly to Williamsport, on the west branch of the
Susquehanna,
in the midst of the rich agricultural districts of Pennsylvania.
From this time the improvement of the country became singularly rapid.
Upon the defeat of St. Clair in the New Miami country, Gen. Wayne
was appointed commander-in-chief. A treaty was held the previous
year at the Painted Post, upon the Chemung, with the Six Nations, at
which it was arranged that their principal men should visit
Philadelphia during the ensuing session of Congress, in order, among
other things, to render them more friendly disposed towards the
Americans. The delegations who met
there not only agreed to a peaceable course of conduct themselves, but
also
agreed to throw their influence into the scale in order to bring about
a
peace between the Americans and hostile Indians, who had become even
more
inveterate since their victory. In accordance with this
agreement, a council was held at the Miama Rapids in the autumn of
1792, but the hostile Indians did not receive the overtures of
pacification with any pleasure from
their red brethren of the Six Nations. The Chief Red Jacket, of
the
Senecas, spoke in favor of the Indians friendly to peace. The
only
result, however, was an agreement upon the part of those who were in
favor
of war, to suspend offensive operations during the ensuing winter, and
meet
again in council the following spring. The cause of the
difficulties, was an impressions that government wished to deprive them
of their lands, and the difficulty of adjusting a boundary between the
whites and Indians, the former claiming land which the latter asserted
was sold by those who were
not authorized to do so.
In the spring of 1793, a great scarcity of provisions was
experienced, much increased by the emigration into the county of
Ontario. Large quantities were brought by the newly opened road
from the south to keep the settlement together. In August of that
year, another council was held at the former place of meeting, in which
the hostile Indians insisted upon the Ohio as the boundary between them
and the whites, which the American commissioners rejected. The
delegates of the Six Nations endeavored to conciliate, but upon these
terms the negotiation was at an end. Government, during the same
year, proposed another council, but would not, in the mean time,
interrupt the operations of the army. Conciliatory measures were
used with the Six Nations, and various presents made them in order to
secure their friendship.
In the year 1794, the settlers of Ontario began to find a market
for their produce, and made great exertions, and various new
settlements were commenced, and mills and roads were being built.
The friendly temper of the Six Nations, however, was considerably
cooled on account of the
boundary line ostensibly not meeting their views, but measurably
incited
by the hostile feelings of the English and Americans, growing out of
events
transpiring during the course of the French Revolution. The
council
on the 25th of April broke up in a warlike spirit, and raised a
presumption
that the Six Nations would take up arms with their brethren of the
west.
On the 20th of August, the Indians of the west, amounting to 2500
in number, suffered a severe defeat from the American troops under
General Wayne. In this action some of the Senecas were engaged
against the Americans in the vicinity of the Miami Rapids. The
victory of Wayne had a pacifying influence upon the Six Nations within
the United States;
yet there was still a prospect of the continuance of war with their
coadjutors of the west.
In the year 1795 the course of civilization and improvement was
onward in the county of Ontario. Many settlements were this year
began on the Indian line; roads were also cut in many directions, and
many mills erected on the different streams in the neighborhood of the
settlements. In March the existing difficulties between Great
Britain and the United States were adjusted, which deprived the Indians
of all encouragement in that quarter; and by a treaty made with the
Indians by General Wayne, on the third of
August, an end was put to the scenes of cruelty that had afflicted the
border
population for so many years.
By act of March 18, 1796, the Legislature divided the county of
Ontario into two parts; the north half retained the name of Ontario,
and the south assuming that of Steuben; both extending from the Lake
Canadesaga to Lake Erie. The number of emigrants were now
estimated at 3000 a year. Framed houses also began to arise among
the clearings, and the comforts of life were rapidly increasing.
This year, a sloop of forty tons was launched upon the bosom of the
Canadesaga. Several people collected upon the occasion. to
witness the novel spectacle. We may imagine the shouts that
greeted her as she glided upon the blue waters, then lying within their
primeval borders of dark forests. The sloop was intended to ply
as a packet between Geneva and Catharine's Town, at the head of the
lake. A village this season was also commenced on the outlet of
the Crooked Lake, near where it empties into the Canadesaga, which was
named Hopetown. Large quantities of surplus wheat and other
produce were now
raised for sale, which was sent through various channels. In 1797
the
emigration very much increased. The Legislature took the road
from Geneva
to Whitestown under their patronage, and in connection with a
subscription among the owners of lands through which the road passed,
it was opened sixty-four feet wide and one hundred miles in
length. The number of sail boats upon the lake this year very
much increased, and the sloop found constant employment.
1798 -- This year the number of families coming into this country
was very much upon the increase. It was not till after the
western posts were delivered up to the United States that settlers
approached the Genesee river. Their fear of exposure to Indian
depredations, was sufficient to deter the industrious from settling
upon the frontier; they however now began to settle there in great
numbers.
In 1806, when villages were few and very far between, and taverns were
the great landmarks upon the roads, we find the following given as the
route and distance to Geneva, and so onward through the county of
Ontario
to Niagara:
From Albany to
Humphrey's Tavern
McKown's
Douw's
Truax's
Schenectady
Groat's
John Fonda's
Conolly's
Roseboom's Ferry (Canajoharie)
Hudson's (Indian Castle)
Adridge's (German Flats)
Brayton's
Utica (old Fort Schuyler)
Whitestown
Laud's Tavern
Rome (Fort Stanwix)
Oneida Castle
Wemp's
John Denna's
Foster's
Morehouse's
Keeler's or Danforth's
Carpenter's
Buck's
Goodrich's
Huggins'
Cayuga Bridge
Seneca
Geneva
Amsden's
Well's
Sanburn's (Canandaigua)
Sears & Peck's
Genesee River
Indian Town of Towanda
Niagara |
Miles
2
3
2
5
4-16
12
12
7
3-50
13
11-74
13
3
4-94
9
3
8
5
7
5
6
5
15
3
8
4
7-176
3
11-190
6
8
4-208
13
14-235
40
35-310
|
From Geneva Gazette 5 June 1846
The Genesee Country in 1792
EDITOR OF THE GENEVA GAZETTE:
Dear Sir -- I send you a few extracts from a pamphlet entitled
"A Description of the Genesee Country, in a Series of
Letters from a Gentleman to his Friend," printed towards
the close of the last century.
Very respectfully,
J. Tremper |
"In the year 1790, the Legislature of the State of New York formed into
a county by the name of Ontario, all that part of the State lying west
of a meridian line drawn from the 82d mile stone, on the Pennsylvania
line, to Lake Ontario. Within this is included the tract known by
the name of the Genesee Country -- bounded on the north by Lake
Ontario, on the west by Niagara river and Lake Erie, on the south by
the State of Pennsylvania, and on the east by the counties of Tioga and
Onondaga.
The settlement of the country was begun in the year 1788; but,
separated as it was at that time at such a distance from all other
settlements --
on the south hemmed in by the Allegany mountains, on the east by a
wilderness of one hundred miles, on the north by Lake Ontario, and on
the west by
a wilderness extending to the South Sea -- at the same time having no
communication with the settlements on the eastern coast, but by an
Indian path from the outlet of the Seneca Lake to Fort Schuyler -- it
is not to be wondered
at if it made but little progress in population and improvements for
many
years.
We find by the census taken two years afterwards, that there were
only nine hundred and sixty souls, including all travellers, and
surveyors and their attendants, who happened at that time to be within
the bounds of
the county.
On the 15th February 1792, I left Albany on my route to the Genesee
river; but the country was thought so remote, and so very little known,
that I could not prevail on the owner of the stage to engage farther
than Whitestown, a new settlement at the head of the Mohawk, 100 miles
from Albany. The
road as far as Whitestown had been made passable for wagons, but from
that
to the Genesee river, was but little better than an Indian path,
sufficiently opened to allow a sledge to pass, and some impassable
streams bridged. At Whitestown, I was obliged to change my
carriage, the Albany driver getting alarmed for himself and horses,
when he found that for the next hundred miles we were not only obliged
to take provisions for ourselves, but for our horses, and blankets for
our beds. On leaving Whitestown, we found only a
few struggling huts, scattered along the path from 19 to 20 miles from
each
other; and they affording nothing but the conveniences of fire, and a
kind
of shelter from the snow. On the evening of the third day's
journey
from Whitestown, we were very agreeably surprised to find ourselves on
the
east side of Seneca Lake, which we found perfectly open, free of ice as
in the month of June; the evening was pleasant and agreeable, and what
added
to our surprise and admiration, was to see a boat and canoe plying upon
the lake. After having passed from New York over 360 miles of
country
completely frozen, the village of Geneva, though then consisting of a
few
log houses, after the dreary wilderness we had passed through, added
not
a little to the beauty of the prospect. We forded the outlet of
the
lake, and arrived safely at Geneva.
The situation of this infant settlement on the banks of a sheet of
water 44 miles long by 4 to 6 wide, daily navigated by small craft and
canoes, in the month of February, was a sight as gratifying as it was
unexpected. It appeared that the inhabitants of this delightful
country would by the slight covering of snow on the ground, have all
the conveniences of a northern winter; and by the waters of the Lake
being free from ice, have all the
advantages of this inland navigation -- a combination of advantages,
perhaps,
not to be experienced by any other country in the world.
From Geneva to Canandaigua, the road is only the Indian path, a
little improved; the first five miles over gentle swellings of land,
interspersed with bottoms seemingly very rich; the remainder of the
road to Canandaigua, the county town, 16 miles, was, the greatest part
of the distance, through a heavy timbered, rich land; on this road
there were only two families
settled. Canandaigua, the county town, consisted of two small
frame
houses and a few huts, surrounded with thick woods; the few inhabitants
received me with much hospitality, and I found abundance of excellent
venison.
From Canandaigua to the Genesee river, 26 miles, it is almost totally
uninhabited, only four families residing on the road; the country is
beautiful
and very open, in many places the openings are free of all timber,
appearing
to contain at least 2 or 300 acres, beautifully variegated with hill
and
dale. It seemed that by only enclosing any of them with a
proportionable
quantity of timbered land, an enclosure might be made not inferior to
the
parks in England. At the Genesee river I found a small Indian
store
and tavern; the river was not then frozen over, and so low as to be
fordable. Upon the whole, at this time there were not any
settlements of any consequence in the whole of the Genesee country;
that established by the Friends on
the west side of Seneca Lake, was the most considerable, consisting of
about 40 families. At this period the number of Indians in the
adjoining country was so great, when compared with the few white
inhabitants who ventured to winter in the country, that I found them
under serious apprehension for their safety. Even in this state
of nature, the county of Ontario
shows every sign of future respectability; no man has put the plough in
the ground without being amply repaid; and through the mildness of
winter,
the cattle brought into the country the year before, on very slender
provision
for their subsistence, were thriving well. The clearing of land
for
spring crops is going on with spirit; I also found the settlers
abundantly
supplied with venison."
From Geneva Gazette 10 August 1877
Country Jottings
During a ride through Seneca, part of Phelps and
Hopewell in the early part of this week, the country hardly presented
its finest aspects. The roads were dry and dusty, and the weather
extremely
warm. The grain crops are all harvested excepting here and there a
field
of oats; in many instances the wheat has been threshed, and all report
an abundant yield - ranging from 25 to 47 bushels to the acre. The
Clanson
wheat has been mostly grown in this section, and the old favorite Wicks
prevailing with a few. It is claimed by growers of the latter that it
will
produce more flour to the bushel, and that its quality cannot be
excelled.
The barley crop is very fine, prices will rule fair, and most of it
will
undoubtedly pass into the hands of BETZ & NESTER, the Geneva
malsters.
In fact all the cereals give promise of "panning out" largely, and
however
blue our merchants and tradesmen may have felt during the past few
months,
there is none of this in the country.
The improved machinery for harvesting gives more opportunity for
repairs about the farm in favorable weather. Fence repairs, the
erection of barns, and general cleaning up are progressing now.
Vincent L. Runyan, is putting the homestead farm,
about a mile south of Seneca Castle,
in prime order. The barns have been moved off their old
foundations, enlarged, newly sided and shingled, and will conveniently
house his crops, horses and live stock. As newly constructed, they
enclose a large square within the rows of buildings with ample room
beneath the barns for wintering. The work is being done by a skillful
carpenter, Mr. J. M. Wilson of Stanley, who is kept
busy by the demands of his neighbors. Ed. McCombs, the victor
in the late slander suit, of which we have before spoken, also draws on
the purses of his neighbors for skilled labor.
Passing the broad acres of Gould B. Sears, and the pleasant
home of P. A. Hall, his farmer, among others, we drew rein
beneath
the shade of the trees at Seneca Castle.
Mr. Schoonmaker, like the farmers in his region, has been
compelled to "tear down and build larger." The foundation for an
imposing
structure just east of his present store is laid, and the first joist
in position. He may not occupy it this season, but next year he hopes
to
have the model country store of this region. In trade, and enjoying the
confidence of that community, his hopes have been fully realized.
In manufactures, Seneca Castle has no less to boast of than similar
rural hamlets. The carriage shop of G. M. Child, the
blacksmithing of Lew. Travis, are growing institutions, the
products of their
skill giving universal satisfaction. In one respect Geneva has to "cave
in." Ours, with a population of nearly 7,000, depends upon little
Seneca Castle for the flour from its mills.
The elevated drive from the latter place to Orleans is full of pleasing
memories. We have floundered time and again in the deep snow drifts
that lined its roadway, and years agone have hunted its forests -- now
all cut off -- for game and trolled its stream for fish. On the
hillside directly east of Orleans, the elder John Warner erected
his home nearly a
century ago. After living to ripe old age, having voted in that
district at seventy-one fall elections, and gathered about him a vast
body of descendants, near relatives and warm friends, about four years
ago was gathered to a
home of complete rest. Not a child did he leave behind him but to come
up to a ripe old age in the same upright manner in which the father had
lived; and so of the grandchildren. There is "much of them" when
together, as we have seen on more than one occasion. The Warners own
and occupy about one
thousand acres of fine farming land in that region.
Orleans is a thriving little place. It has its churches, stores,
hotel, grist and flouring mills, and all the requirements for home
maintenance. The Sodus Point & Southern railway affords ample
shipping facilities, and it has the reputation of being now a better
grain market than either Geneva, Phelps or Canandaigua. Last season its
shipments of apples and potatoes were enormous, at one time 2,000
barrels of potatoes being in store. Messrs. E. D. Aldrich and J.
C. Warner are intending to buy grain this season, if the markets
will warrant any investments. J. A. Blythe at the flouring
mill takes in his share of grain, running the very finest grades of
flour and meal.
The principal store at Orleans is owned by our friend, Lewis R.
Lombard, who established in business there eleven years ago. The
store
is not large, but the placard in plain letters, "If you don't see what
you want, ask for it," indicates that he has an ample reserve
somewhere.
Justice is meted out by Esquire Spear, in a manner that
makes
friends. He only issues a warrant when all methods of reconciliation
fail.
Would that all justices were so.
After climbing the hills west of Orleans, the most beautiful farm lands
are presented to view - a broad panorama of rich fields, gently and
evenly rolling as the waves of the great Pacific. From one hundred to
three hundred acres are embraced in each farm, and the crops have been
most abundant. We pass in succession the lands of Jas. W.
Moore, Tompkins and Milton Warner, Horace Baker and his
brother, the Skekels,
and others. Not a rod of poor land is to be seen for miles on this road
in either direction. But we fear to weary the reader. Such thrift
we love to dwell on rather than return to the close atmosphere of
office
life.
Our drive was continued to the well-kept and broad acres of John H.
Benham, and the yet more snug farm of G. Granger Benham in
Hopewell. The former has made many exhibits at the State and County
Fairs, invariably carrying off the premiums on fine livestock.
Mr. Benham regretted the departure from among us of James O.
Sheldon, to whom the country is indebted for all that is good in
blooded stock, and hopes that the White Springs farm may again, under
the ownership of W. & T. Smith, assume its old place as
the model stock farm of the country.
And another time we may journey off in the northern and western part of
old Phelps and in returning by Gorham, Stanley and Manchester, and we
hope our friends will be ready to "show up their hands."
From Geneva Courier 4 April 1883
A TRIP ON THE SOUTHWESTERN RAILWAY FROM GENEVA TO NAPLES
We'll suppose it is November and the new railroad is
completed. A train of cars is drawn up at the central depot, a
start is made; the train keeps the New York Central track for a short
distance and then leaves it, going a little to the north east.
Describing part of a circle we
recross the central tracks and are riding over the Torrey farm just
north
of of Geneva. The curve spreads out and the train approaches the
Experiment
Station. We push under a bridge built upon the Seneca Castle
highway
and just west of Dr. Sturtevant's house. The train then rolls
along
through a comparatively flat country to STANLEY.
Here our first stop is made and we see the mail train of the Ontario
Southern road, just ready to start for Lake Ontario. One or two
coal trains loaded with coal for Canada, will follow the
passenger. The
Philadelphia express is ready to start. A huge grain elevator has
just been erected near the junction of the two roads, and through the
window
we can Ed. Dixon, with pen behind his ear, who has come over from Halls
to see about his new elevator. Stanley is now a railroad
centre.
The Northern Central passes through it. It is the southern
terminus
of the Ontario Southern, and the new line from Geneva to Pittsburgh,
passing
through it suddenly makes it suddenly a reputation.
The train has started during our reverie and after a few minutes'
ride we read GORHAM VILLAGE and the business centre of a town
of over 3000 population, with indications of a still larger
increase. We are again on our way and soon find a third
stop. This time it is another thriving centre, RUSHVILLE.
Buildings are going up. Mr. S. K. Nester of Geneva, has built
a huge malt house, rivaling the one at Geneva.
Side tracks have been laid and indications point, as in Gorham, to a
steady
business traffic. Conductor Smith, of Geneva, stops this reverie
by
crying "all aboard," and we are soon in Yates county, passing through
its
north west corner, Italy Hollow. A short stop is made at
Middlesex
Centre, in the town of the same name, with a population of 1,600
people.
A little longer trip this time and we view some of the finest scenery
in
New York State.
NAPLES is soon reached, where we make several minutes
stop. This village is the largest we have yet seen. It lies
on the inlet of Canandaigua Lake, and is about four miles from the
lake. It is eighteen miles south of Canandaigua, and is striving
to make its population 1,000, which it will soon do. It has a
bank, several large stores and two
newspapers. it is also the terminus of two stage routes.
Until
this road was built, it had no railroad communication.
The bell rings, and we start again. The country we have passed
through is one of the best for grain raising that there is in the
State,
and the amount shipped is large. Our train is now running into
Steuben
county. We are in the town of Cohocton, but are too far north for
the village. We soon see the smoke of another train.
The train men call out BLOOD'S STATION. The cars stop
and as we go on the platform we see the Erie train just starting
out. It is a train on the Rochester Branch of the Erie, starting
from Corning. Blood's is about 25 miles northwest of Bath on the
same road. After passing the Cohocton River, we go into the town
of Wayland. The country is hilly and rather mountainous. We
soon see another train. This time it is on the Delaware,
Lackawana and Western Rail road and we are at PERKINSVILLE, a
few miles from Dansville -- where the sick people go and where plenty
of healthy ones go so that they can read Editor Bunnell's Advertiser,
the home organ of the Republican party, and of no man in it.
"All aboard," is sounded and we are again going through a hilly
country. Our next stopping place is OSSIAN, LIVINGSTON COUNTY,
a small but lively place. The town proper has a population of
about 1,500 inhabitants. A moment's delay and again we are
off. And for a fourth time we see a train of cars. This
time we reach the end of our journey, having to change cars for
Buffalo. The town is SWAINSVILLE, Alleghany county, and
is on the northwestern division of the Erie railroad.
The train we have left starts up and in a hour or so will be in
Olean, where the passengers will alight. Those going south will
take the cars on the line to Pittsburgh, the southern terminus of a
great road to connect
the coal fields with New York State. {A Courier reporter on the
Southwestern
in the sweet by and by.}
From Geneva Gazette 22 October 1886
ALL ABOARD FOR NEW YORK
To see the Grand Pageant
UNVEILING THE BARTHOLDI STATUE !
Round Trip $6.50 Round Trip
BY THE
LEHIGH VALLEY ROUTE
Incomparably the grandest and most attractive route to the
Metropolis. Excursion train leaves GENEVA Tuesday, Oct. 26th at
10:55 a.m. Tickets good for ten days, and the holder can
return on any regular train
within that time, with the privilege of stopping over at Mauch Chunk,
the "Switzerland of America" in its grand
and sublime mountain scenery.
The unveiling of the great Bartholdi statue will take place with
most imposing ceremonies, including a grand procession of several
hundred steam vessels, barges and other vessels gaily decorated with
bunting, on the 28th inst. President Cleveland and his Cabinet
and the Governors of several states will be present, and it is intended
to make the day a grand holiday occasion.
For excursion tickets or other information address H. D. Dox, No.
12 Castle st., Geneva.
From Geneva Gazette 29 October 1886
Eight cars were needed to hold the New York excursionists
last Tuesday, and every car was full. The train left here at
10:55 a.m., and no doubt a hundred more people joined the party between
here and Ithaca. The projectors must have made a handsome thing
out of the project, a couple of hundred dollars apiece anyway, which
will pay them royally for their work. Mauch Chunk and the
Bartholdi statue festivities caught the people.
From Geneva Gazette 5 November 1886
It is said that Bartholdi got his first idea of his big
girl by
seeing a Clyde girl's foot. He made the foot and was a little
discouraged at first at the prospect of making the rest of her to
correspond, but he did it. He says it was the biggest job he ever
undertook. -- Wayne Dem. Press.
Note: Clyde is located in Wayne County, north of Ontario
County.
From Ontario County Times 23 January 1889
The Naples Record, in urging that something be done by way of
observing the centennial of the settlement of the town this year, gives
this item of history: The deed of the town of Naples from Oliver Phelps
and Nathaniel Gorham to James Harris, Nathan Watkins,
William Watkins, Elizur Burnham, Nathan Hibbard, Edward Kibbe, William
Cady, Ephraim Cleveland, Dennison Robinson, William Clark, and Thomas Robinson, Jr., is
dated March 20, 1789, and conveys township No. 7, in th 4th range, six
miles north and south, and five and one-half miles east and west,
containing 21,120 acres. The consideration is one thousand and
fifty-six pounds, current.
From Geneva Gazette 12 January 1894
Old Time Funerals - In my last published communication to you,
I promised to give your readers a description of the manner of
conducting funerals as I remember them sixty five years ago. I
now fulfill that promise. It must be understood that I am writing of
funerals in the country. In cities the manner was somewhat
different, still there were some things similar.
There were no tinselled hearses, no prancing steeds with gaudy
trappings, no ceremony attending the singing, no music on organ or
melodeon. Vocal music to me on such occasions gave impressions as
lasting as life. The ministers officiating would give out a hymn, when
some one present would
start one of those never-to-be-forgotten tunes, others would start in
on
the first two lines, then the minister would read the next two lines,
it
being necessary as hymn books were but few in those days. The book
generally
used was called the Village Hymns; sometimes Watts' was used. As I look
back,
everything connected with the solemn occasions is stamped indelibly on
my
mind. First, the dead clothed in a winding sheet; generally the eyes
were
closed with a penny on each; the coffin made of cherry stained, costing
from
six to ten dollars. No undertakers; some neighbor would officiate to
assist
when necessary; no ceremony attending in order to take a last view of
the
dead. Everything was conducted in a way that would lift a pecuniary
trouble
from many sad bereaved ones at the present day. Of course, we wish
to
do for our departed loved ones, but is our love the less if their
remains
are enclosed in pine instead of rosewood? Do we cherish their memory
any
more though their monument reaches to the skies?
To proceed with my subject I would say, as there were no hearses, some
neighbor having a one horse wagon, (no springs), would take the remains
to the grave, preceded by the minister and doctor on horses, each
having a common gift of three or six yards of fine bleached muslin,
sufficient for one or two shirt patterns, so folded that it was
fastened on the right shoulder by a bow of black ribbon and tied under
the left arm. As soon as the procession came in sight of the church,
the sexton would toll the age of the departed.
H.
From Geneva Advertiser 30 October 1894
Old Times Recalled -- With a great deal of pleasure we print the
communication below, sent to us by one who knows what she is
writing about. The lady is not accustomed to writing for the
press, but she need not fear in future efforts:
Editor Advertiser:
I was lately reading the Geneva items in the Elmira Telegram,
and noted the mention of the death of David Hill which occurred
at
the foot of Seneca Lake. That tavern has a history that is well
worth
recounting, but let me say that no murder was ever committed
there
nor in the tavern beyond -- none that was ever heard of.
The famous Chapman murder was committed at the Sportsman's Hall, the
large brick building still standing on the lake road, just within the
Seneca County line. I could tell you all about that murder, but
will not encroach upon your time and space.
Now as to that history: At my elbow sits a friend who is able
to go back over seventy years, and remembers well when Captain
Nathan
Teall built the then fine tavern stand at the foot of Seneca Lake.
It was much larger then than it is now, nearly twice its size,
with
barns and sheds to accommodate travelers journeying over the road.
That
was a farmers' stand in those days, to catch the weary horsemen and
other
people going to the Genesee country, then called "the far west," many
with
packs on their backs and many with families in covered wagons. My
informant tells me that he has often seen twenty, and sometimes fifty
teams
sheltered in those barns and sheds over night, and horses tied to the
back
ends of wagons. It was a busy place in those days -- nearly every
night
all the rooms would be filled with beds thrown on the floors, beds
brought
in from the wagons, and big enough to accommodate the whole family.
Captain Teall was a jovial landlord, with a hearty welcome to greet
the coming, and just as cheery a good-bye to speed the departing guest.
In his wife, Mrs. Polly Teall, he had most able help.
She
was a model landlady. The lake road then was a lovely drive, no
canal
at the north of it. The road was nearly a quarter-mile out in
what
is now the lake, shaded all the way by fine trees. It was the
favorite drive from Geneva around the beach of the beautiful Seneca.
Gay ladies and gentlemen who rode so much on horseback at that
time, would canter over the hard beach roadway, and rein up at the
Teall tavern for a glass of their favorite wine or one of those slings
so fashionable at that early day.
Mr. Editor, my informant closes his eyes, searches away back in
Memory's garden and calls up parties who have long been laid to rest,
who used to make merry and crack jokes in that old house by the
lakeside ! Among the foremost who comes so fresh to memory is Mr.
Charles Williamson, one of the gayest of the gay; then the quiet
gentleman Mr. David Saxton
Hall, with the Misses Scott, great belles in society. They
would
rein up at the hotel for a pleasant chat and cheese. Next come Mr.
Robert Rose, Senior, who would canter up on his favorite pony,
always
wearing a white necktie, and that friendly snuff box was always ready
for
use of his friends. Snuff was greatly in favor with some at the
time;
even ladies would carry a silver box for their own use. Then
comes
up the genial, pleasant face of Doctor Rose.
How the Doctor did like to fish ! The lake was full of fish
then. Mr. Giles Parker, Sen., used to fish with a seine
down near there, would draw in enough in one night to load a wagon.
Even the fish have left the old grounds -- nothing but a memory
of what once
was so pleasant remaining.
Few now living remember the gay balls that used to be held in Teall's
Tavern. It had a fine, large ball room, and many pleasant
entertainments were given there, too. Sickle's show, so popular
in its day; and
"Babes in the Woods!" Who ever tired of that, when the Robins
came
and covered the babes over with leaves ? -- once seen, never to be
forgotten.
Mr. Giles Parker, Sen., with his laughing gas made plenty
of fun, because it was all new and thought so wonderful in 1822.
Mr. Ansel Teall, eldest son of Captain Nathan Teall, built a
fine flouring mill at the foot of Seneca Lake on what was then the
natural
outlet. Where the present outlet is was then a canal to let boats
into the river from the lake. It had a lock and lock-tender.
When
the new canal was constructed it ruined the water-power and the mill
and
changed the outlet.
But above all, to wake up the people we had the stage coaches with
their jolly drivers, four-in-hand, blowing their horns and dashing up
to the door with their loads of travelers, and perhaps all to dine.
The stage
driver was no lowly personage. He was treated to the best, for he
could bestow his patronage wherever he pleased. He had a wide
field to choose from, about a dozen taverns on the road between Geneva
and Canandaigua, and about the same between Geneva and Waterloo, and
every few miles a modest cake and gingerbeer house with its sign
swinging in the breeze, so welcome to the dusty traveler on foot with
his heavy pack on his back and generally a pair of boots hanging over
his shoulders. Today he would be called a "tramp," but then he
was known as a foot traveler.
My informant can remember the names of nearly all who kept houses of
entertainment in these towns during the times of which I write, but I
will not tire you by giving them here, but I will mention one, the last
before entering the village of Waterloo, kept by a Mrs. Smith,
generally known as "Aunt Spudy." She was famous for brewing hot
slings, would always stir it up, then taste it, remarking, "That is
good enough for the money."
But the crowning glory was General Training Day, often held near
Teall's Tavern. How the young boys wished to be men, and train,
and carry guns as these soldiers did ! What lots of pies, and
ginger bread had to be baked for general training ! But I will not
dwell longer on this happy theme. Will say good-bye to those good old
days past and gone, never, never to return.
E. A. T.
As far back as the days when only Native Americans lived in the area,
Seneca Lake, the longest of the Finger Lakes, has been a source of
mystery, legend and superstition for local residents of all ages.
One old, but unfounded, rumor is that deep Seneca Lake has no
bottom in some places. Another tale is that a creature similar in
description to the Loch Ness Monster will make itself apparent if you
watch the lake long enough. Here's another account to add to the
lore, an encounter a small group of credible adults had with the sleek
monster back in 1899:
The Sea Serpent
Alleged to have Eyes like a Fish.
And when life departed from his bulky hulk he sank with never a wink.
From last week's Saturday Review.
Fish with legs and black snakes that milk the Jersey cows have
inhabited the waters of Seneca Lake and infested the meadows of
Ontario's pastures for three years and a half past, or from the time
their darksome homes were probed by the inky blackness of the
reportorial pen of a denizen of the
roving commission department of the New York Sun, until now. All
that
so far have been drawn from their watery obscurity into the sunlight of
newspaper exposure have been decapitated by axe or barbed wire until
the
latest and biggest of the reptilian mammiferous and pachydermatous
creatures made its appearance on Saturday last. This one died of a
paddlewheelerian blow and its demise is accounted for by the following
"truthful" tale telegraphed broadcast over the United States by
that prince of newspaper veracity, the New York Sun, which shines for
almost everybody and whose escutcheon is
emblazoned with the redoubtable inscription, "When you see it in the
Sun,
it's so." This is only so-so:
Geneva, N.Y. July 15, 1899
The Otetiani, a side wheel steamboat belonging to the Seneca Lake
Steam Navigation company, officered by Captain Carleton C. Herendeen
and
Pilot Frederick Rose, was between Dresden and Willard a few minutes
before
7 o'clock last evening, when Pilot Rose saw about 400 yards ahead, what
appeared to him to be an overturned boat. He called Captain Herendeen
who
examined the object with his glass. It appeared to be about 25 feet
long,
with a very sharp bow and long, narrow stern. Amidships it was much
broader
and higher than at either end.
A number of passengers gathered around the pilot house and discussed
the supposed boat. Among them were President of the Board of
Public Works, Commissioners of Public Works Albert L. Fowle and D.W.
Hallenbeck, Police Commissioner George C. Schell, Fred S. Bronson,
manager of the Geneva Telephone company, and Charles E. Coon, a
commercial traveler for a Philadelphia house, all resident of this
city, and Professor George R. Elwood of Guelph, Ont., a geologist who
has been studying the country around the lake.
When Captain Herendeen completed his examination of the object, the
pilot signalled the engineer to slow down. The steamboat approached to
within 100 yards and preparations were made to lower a boat. As
the
davits were swung outward, the supposed upturned boat turned and began
to
move away.
"Full speed ahead," shouted the captain. The object was moving
slowly and the steamboat gained on it rapidly. The object again
turned, this time toward the boat, raising its head, looked in the
direction of the boat and opened its mouth, displaying two rows of
sharp, white teeth.
The captain said that he would ram the creature with the boat and
take it alive, if possible. Otherwise he would kill it, and
either
take it aboard or tow it to Geneva.
The boat was turned so that the creature would be approached from
the side. The deck was crowded with passengers. These the captain
ordered amidships in order to avoid any accident should the creature
attempt to come aboard after the attack was begun. The captain
cautioned everybody to get a life preserver and keep cool, because he
said he did not know what would happen when the boat struck the
monster. Some of the women, who were in tears, retired to the
cabin, the others showed as much interest and excitement in the case as
the men. The boat fell away some distance and turned to make the
attempt to ram the creature. The captain signalled full speed
ahead, and in a moment the Otetiani was under way.
Every eye on deck was fixed on the monster and hardly a person was
breathing normally. While the boat was yet some distance from it,
the monster again looked at the boat, sank out of sight and the boat
passed over the spot where it had been. Some of the passengers decided
that they could see a dark outline of the creature's body.
The steamer prepared to continue her course to this city.
"There it is," suddenly exclaimed one of the women passengers, who was
standing on the after deck.
The "thing" had come up. The passengers, with the captain in
advance, ran to the stern of the vessel and within fifty yards the
long, lithe body of the monster was lying on the surface in practically
the same
position as when discovered. The captain ordered the boat put
about
and the attack was renewed. Instead of trying to strike the
creature full in the side the boat was maneuvered, so that the
starboard paddle wheel would strike it about midway between its head
and tail.
The boat went ahead under full steam, the monster paid no attention to
it, and with a thud which all heard and felt, the steamboat struck
the spot.
The force of impact threw every one off his feet, and the vessel
careened violently to port, but quickly righted. For an instant
everybody wondered what would happen next. There was not a sound
on board except the engine. Then the men on board cheered and
some of the more timid of the women recovered from their fright and
screamed.
Lying close beside the steamer, with a gaping wound in its side, was
the monster. It raised its head, gave what sounded like a gasp,
and lay quiet. Its spinal column had been broken and it was dead.
The life boats were quickly lowered and rowed to its side and with the
aid of boat hook ropes were placed around the carcass. Other ropes
which were fastened on board the steamer were then passed up and
attached to the improvised swings. All helped to haul the monster
in. The carcass was clear of the water when the rope near the
tail slipped off and
the tail dropped into the water.
The weight on the other rope then became so great that it began to slip
through the bands of those holding it. They were compelled to let
go or go overboard. As soon as the body struck the water it began
to sink and disappeared. At the point where the carcass was lost
the lake is over six hundred feet deep and as is well known bodies of
persons who have been drowned in that part of the lake never again rise
or are
recovered.
When the steamer arrived in this city shortly before midnight the
stories of the monster were about the same, although in some the
imagination
was given free play and the length of the monster was estimated at from
25 to ninety feet. The most careful and perhaps most trustworthy
account was given by Professor George R. Elwood, a geologist who lives
in
Guelph, Ont., who was in one of the life boats that made a rope fast
around
the carcass.
"Do you know what a Clidiastes is?" the Professor asked the Herald
correspondent.
"Well, that is exactly what the creature we saw last night seemed
to be. It was about twenty-five feet long, with a tail which
tapered until within about five feet of the end, when it broadened out
and looked much like a whale. The creature weighed about one
thousand pounds.
"It's head was perhaps four feet long and triangular in shape.
Its mouth was very long and was armed with two rows of triangular
white teeth as sharp as those of a shark, but in shape more like those
of a sperm whale. Its body was covered with a horny substance
which was as much like the carapace of a terrapin as anything else of
which I know. This horny
substance was brown in color and of a greenish tinge. The belly of the
creature, which I saw after the rope slipped and the carcass was going
down, was cream white. Its eyes were round like those of a fish,
and it did not wink."
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