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Reminiscences of Wellsville - Part 1

Transcribed by Mary Rhodes from Wellsville Daily Reporter November 24, 1894

Dr. Sheerar’s Interview With Uncle Billy Weed

The Old Sexton of Wellsville Came Here in 1824 Before Any White Man had Settled Within The Corporate Limits of Wellsville

The following interesting interview is the first of a series of reminiscences of Wellsville which Dr. H. M. Sheerar will furnish for the readers of The Reporter:

UNCLE BILLY WEED, THE SEXTON

Uncle Billy was a unique character. When I knew him he was the “old sexton” of Wellsville, “ That gathered them in” from time to time as occasion required.

One day I was at the cemetery, located at the lower end of Genesee street and found uncle Billy digging a grave. “Well, uncle Billy,” said I,. “does it ever make you feel a little nervous when you are digging a grave?”

“Naw”, said he as he straightened up and rested upon his spade. “I’d just as soon dig a grave as a tater hole. I’m like the old woman who said that when she died she hoped they would take her to a warm place, for it was a little too chilly here for her in this world.”

Uncle Billy was interviewed in 1868 with the following result. He said “In 1824 I cut a road from the De Peyster place, up past where old Crowner’s would be now, and settled here. There was not a building or any claim where your city stands. Old Job Strait’s log house was the first settlement and the first house in Wellsville village..

“Asa Foster and I came here about together. What did we do when we got here? Why, young man, we worked. For we did not use any money, and we did not need it and there was nothing to buy if we’d had it. We paid our taxes with road orders. There was a settlement then at Shoemakers Corners, (now Elm Valley) and the settlement of Knight’s and Palmer’s at Scio, which we called the lower settlement. There was a sled road over the hills from Kings Settlement on the Little Genesee, past here to Dike’s at Shoemakers Corners. They use to raise anything they wanted to there and people came out of King’s settlement to buy potatoes at Dike’s.

“In 1827, Ben Palmer opened a store in Wellsville and brought goods in. They came from Albany by wagons. My store trade was $7.00 a year.”

“I bought the first caldron kettle that year and give three hundred pounds of maple sugar for it. The same spring I bought that rifle, (pointing to it) of Miami York and give him 200 pounds of sugar for it. My sugar works were right here then. That old gun, to my notion, is the best there is though. I have had it for forty years. I have kept the old flint in it. It is sure. In one year I killed twenty four deers, one bear and one wolf with it, and only had one pound of powder.

“You hain’t got any good fishing now as we had then. Church built a mill at Phillipsville and he had a high spar dam. A man could go to the dam about four in the afternoon, on the right kind of a day, with a fish pole cut from the woods, horse hair line, worms for bait and take forty pounds of nice trout in less than two hours time. It was quite easy living then, if we hadn’t any money. Why I’d go a little way from here, look across that piece of iron, (the flint lock gun) and get me meat enough to last two weeks. I have carried two bushels of meal from Wilcox’s mill on my shoulder many a time.”

Uncle Billy was a genial man and always full of fun and sometimes his wit would seem a little out of place. He once said, he hoped to live long enough to bury a certain neighbor of his. Said he, “I’d dig his grave two feet longer and three feet deeper than any I have ever dug and will do it free, gratis for nothing.” Whether he did outlive that neighbor or not, this deponent sayeth not.

Nov. 1894

H. M. Sheerar

Wellsville Daily Reporter - December 8, 1894 -- Transcribed by Mary Rhodes

REMINISCENCES OF WELLSVILLE - Part 2

Job Straights Log Cabin Was the First House in Corporate Wellsville

November 13^th, 1889, Mrs. Straight called upon me on business for a lady at Stannard’s Corners and in conversation with her, I drew out the following interesting statement which will, no doubt, be new to many. She said that she and her husband came to Wellsville in 1839. Then there were no roads. Her home was a humble log house located where the Grand Stand of Wellsville trotting grounds now (1894) is. At the time I saw her she was 77 years of age and could tell the time on a clock easily, said she had never worn spectacles, her hearing was so good that she could understand ordinary conversations easily, walked smartly and had walked from Stannard’s Corners and expected to return the same day and in the same way. Her house was the first settlement in Wellsville village. This section of country was then a dense wilderness, no good roads, no near neighbors and of course the mode of living somewhat simple.

She said the nearest grist mill was at Middaugh settlement, what was then called the Wilcox mill, below Scio. Necessity, the mother of invention, induced her husband to construct a home mill, in the following primitive manner. A large maple tree stood near their cottage. This was cut down. The stump did not sliver much when the tree fell, so it required but little work to smooth off the top of the stump with an ax, so as to make it ready for future operations. Then with a two inch auger, a series of holes were bored and by patient labor a cavity of proper size and smoothness was formed, so that this was a nether mill stone, or mortar. The next thing desired was a pestle. This was constructed by cutting off a section of the fallen tree and forming it into a cone, the base of which was a trifle smaller than the mortar. Through a hole near the apex of this cone a piece of a small sapling was fitted and the mill was complete.

The corn was put into this novel millstone to be ground, two persons by grasping either end of the handle and by raising and dropping the pestle, the corn was ground, making real good meal from which first rate samp or Johnny cake was made.

Said Mrs. Straight; “That samp and cake tasted good.” “Another thing,” she continued., “we ground lots of corn for customers”. “Did you take toll, Mrs. Straight?” “On No, we made them do the grinding themselves; they had the use of the mill, free.” Few, if any of our Wellsville people will remember Mrs. Straight. More will call to mind Uncle Billy Weed who lived in a log house on the lower side of the road from where the Stillman greenhouses now (1894) are.

Phillipsville, that Uncle Billy referred to in my first letter, is now Belmont, and the DePeyster place is the present residence of E. V. Sheerar at Riverside. The Haunted House, often alluded to, once stood near the home of Mrs. Robertson, Riverside. But I learn from good authority that the “Haunted” business is a foolish rumor without any foundation, in fact.

Dec 1894

H. M. Sheerar

Wellsville Daily Reporter - December 8, 1894 -- Transcribed by Mary Rhodes

REMINISCENCES OF WELLSVILLE - Part 3

LOST IN THE WOODS

Another Tale of Early Life I the Town of Wellsville

The Father of Job Straight Spends Eight Days Lost in the Wilds – While Two Hundred Men Hunt for Him…Dr. Sheerar’s Reminiscences Continued.

The incident I am about to relate will be remembered by but a very few now living, and the reader will see that in the very early life of Wellsville the people had some exciting times.

In a former letter I referred to Mrs. Job Straight. Her husband’s father, a man 90 years old, lived with them, their house being located where the present trotting park is.

One day in April 1833, father Straight started, as was supposed, to go to his grandson’s not very far distant. He did not return the next day as expected, and Mr. Job Straight Jr. went in search of him, and found to his great surprise that the old gentleman had not been there at all. The way leading to the grandson’s being but a narrow path through the woods, the natural inference was, he had strayed. Mr. S. Jr. immediately visited Mr. Rowley’s and an alarm was sounded, and a search promptly instituted. Torches were made ready and a few earnest ones started in the twilight for the wanderer. Not finding him, they enlisted what people they could, and held a consultation to decide as to the most probable course the lost man had taken. The search was then continued; all hoping and expecting very soon to find him, but their efforts were in vain. Next day with an increased force they scoured the woods. Thus the search went on for several days, the number of searchers increasing and the interest becoming greater and greater as no trace of the lost man could be found. Various conjectures were made, some thought violent hands had been laid upon him, or an evil beast had slain him, or he had perished from cold and hunger. On the 8th day, which was Sunday, men from the towns of Andover, Willing, Wellsville and Scio formed a company of some 200 or more and resolved to make one grand effort to discover the lost one.

Under the leadership of Mr. Willard Adams two lines of men were formed, one leading from Mr. Zenas Jones nursery, to what was known as Uncle B. Adams place. The other, the Andover company, extended from Shoemakers Corners to Dykes’ creek. The men were in speaking distance of each other, armed with guns and horns. Mr. Zenas Jones carried a first rate conch shell. The signal of success was to be the firing of three guns and the horns to be blown.

The two lines began to swing towards each other about 8 o’clock in the morning on the 8^th day, slowing and cautiously they moved, scanning every nook and corner of the dense forest. About 3 o’clock in the afternoon, three guns were fired and then a blast of horns and conch shell awakened such echoes as have never been heard in Wellsville since. All rushed to the place, shouting “The lost is found, the lost is found”.

Mr. Straight was discovered by the Andover company (but the place cannot be identified now) he was lying upon his face and wonderful to relate was alive, but almost unconscious. His mouth was filled with roots, which showed evidently that he had subsisted upon such food as he could find. He was kindly cared for and lived some time after this remarkable episode in his life.

There are two men and possibly only two now living who helped to make up the company that rescued this unfortunate man. Mr. John Cline of Wellsville and George W. Cate of Standards Corners.

Jan 1895 H. M. Sheerar

Jan 17, 1895

THE FINDING OF JOB SRAIGHT

TWO ANDOVER CITIZENS WERE WITH THE SERACHING PARTY – AN INTERESTING LETTER

Editor Reporter – I have read Dr. Sheerar’s account of the finding of Job Straight Sr. There are also two men now residing in the town of Andover who were of the rescuing party and one of them, Manson Rice, was the person who first discovered Mr. Straight. The other member of the party was Erastus Baker. Mr. Rice says that the Andover company started from the road leading from Andover to Whitesville, at a point near the Jacobs Swank farm and went from there nearly west until they came to a sled road that went over the hill from Dykes creek to what is now called Fulmer Valley. They crossed this road near the Thomas White farm and were here joined by others, among them being Erastus Baker. A new line was formed here and they had not gone more than half a mile from the sled road when Mr. Rice found the lost man. The searchers being provided with horns, Mr. Rice blew a blast and was soon joined by others among them being Mr. Baker.

Mr. Straight when found was sitting on the ground and was digging with one hand in a hole he had scraped in the ground and seemed to be nearly unconscious. His mouth was full of dirt and herbs that he seemed to be trying to eat, and he was in a very feeble condition. As it was a hard matter to get him out to the road it was decided to take turns to carrying him until they reached the track. The first house reached was that of John Harvey near where Emory Cook now lives. Here they procured a blanket and rigged it to poles and on this conveyance they carried him to Shoemakers Corners. My brother Hiram and myself were down at the creek fishing and hearing a great noise up at the old tavern we went up there to see what the cause of it might be, and we found that the rescuing party had arrived with the lost man. Dr. Rice (Manson’s father) had joined the party somewhere on the way and he was engaged in trying to revive Mr. Straight who eventually recovered and lived for some time afterward.

At this time there was but the one road from what was then called Bakers Bridge (Alfred Station) by the way of Greene’s Corners to Whitesville, with the exception of the sled path before mentioned. In all the section south of Dykes creek until you reached the road from Wellsville to the forks of the river and it as a very easy matter for a person to get lost in such a wilderness.

Robert R. Boyd, Andover Jan 15, 1895

Wellsville Daily Reporter - January 26, 1895 -- Transcribed by Mary Rhodes

Reminiscence of Wellsville - Part 4

THE TWO SMALL POX SCARES IN 1861 AND 1862

ONLY TWO PERSONS DIED

Owing to the Stringent Measures Adopted by The Health Board

One of the saddest experiences of Wellsville was the fight with small pox.

In the year 1861 in the month of March it was reported that this horrible and by every one feared disease had invaded our quiet town. The Trustees of the village promptly appointed a Board of Health consisting of the following named persons: L. M. Purple, MD, Harvey Alger, Frank Russell, H. M. Sheerar, Daniel Dobbins.

At their first meeting, March 15^th, 1861, Dr. Purple was chosen President and H. M. Sheerar secretary. At this meeting, D. H. H. Nye was appointed Health Officer, and requested to ascertain immediately the truth of this alarming rumor, and report to this Board at its next meeting. The Board met on the evening of the same day and Dr. Nye reported that “Small Pox exhibits itself and exists in the families of Messrs Slough and Bray, and is infectious and contagious.” Opinions had been expressed by some of our people that this rumor was a scare. Dr. Nye was then asked if he was sure that it was small pox, might it not be something else? With a curl of the lip, that spoke volumes, he said: “Gentlemen, people may say what they please, this is not a scare, I know what I am talking about, and upon my reputation as a physician I aver that at this moment the genuine old fashioned SMALL POX is in the families I have named and the sooner we understand this matter and the quicker we adopt the most stringent measures to stop or confine it to its present limits the better for all around.”

Of course we were dumb with astonishment. We knew if the truth of the matter was made public, Wellsville would be a place that no one would care to visit. Many would not believe what we said. We knew also that we would be obliged to blockade some of the streets, close up the residences of our friends, upon suspicion of their having been exposed, and great would be the complaints. Dr. Nye’s practice would be spoiled for the present. His friends and enemies like the Priest and Levite, would pass by on the side when they met him. All these things and many more were earnestly talked over and carefully weighed. But the law pointed out very clearly the duty of the Board, and at their meeting the next day at H. M. Sheerar’s Dental office, it was resolved that public notice be given that small pox prevailed in Wellsville.

The President, Dr. L. M. Purple, was instructed to command persons who had the disease or had been exposed to confine themselves to their dwellings until the Health Officer declared them free from danger.

Dr. Nye later reported to us that small pox existed also in the families of F. Wack,
W. C. Whitney, and Steven Dayton. Meetings of the Board were held every day and often twice a day to hear reports from the Health Officer. On the 18^th he reported that one child of Mr. Wack and four persons in the family of Dr. Whitney were sick with small pox. All doing well, but Mrs. Whitney who was dangerously sick, he feared would not recover, and one sick in the family of Mr. Dayton. An ordinance was passed at this meeting of the Board, prohibiting everyone from having communications with persons of families exposed to having this disease.

On the 20^th, Mrs. Whitney died of the disease. The family lived in the upper room in the building now occupied by Frank Fisher & Co. This building then stood where the old engine house now is.

One of the saddest sights I ever saw was when Dr. Whitney, aided by Dr. Nye, carried the remains of his dear wife, a mass of corruption in a tight plain coffin, down those stairs placed it upon a dray cart when it was taken away without a sympathizing friend or a clergyman present. Two or three members of the Board stood as sentinels to keep curiosity seekers and uninformed persons at a proper distance.

On the 26^th, the health officers reported that all the cases were doing well, there having been 23 cases in all and only one death. Doubtful ones were convinced of the existence of this horrid plague, and when they met those in after days that Dr. Nye had reported, the stern and rigid measures the Board of Health had enforced were warmly approved.

The expenses of this scourge were $120.84 to the village. But the stagnation of business, the anxiety of the people cannot be easily estimated.

To our surprise and horror on Nov 10, 1862 it was reported that small pox was again in our village, in the family of Joseph J. Raymond residing near the lower terminus of Mill street on the western side. Measures were promptly taken to confine the scourge to the narrowest limits possible. Another Board of Health was appointed and the following notice printed and served upon every one that was thought had been exposed.

BOARD OF HEALTH

VILLAGE OF WELLSVILLE

Take notice that you and the members of your family or persons in your employment or under your care, are by the Board of Health of this village strictly prohibited from having any intercourse, communication or conversation with any person or persons, except your physician and members of your family, or inmates of the house in which you abide, and also from appearing in any of the streets or places of business in this village without the permission of the President of this Board, or the Health Officer of this village, until further notice.

The grounds of this order is that you have been exposed to Small Pox

Dated Wellsville, NY 1862,

Daniel D. Dobbins, President

H. M. Sheerer Secretary,

Dr. H. H. Nye Health Officer

E.E. Higgins, J.P. Beecher, D. D. Dobbins, L. M. Purple MD, Z. H. Jones, H. M. Sheerar,

Board of Health

Printed notices like above were served upon the following named persons E. W. Benton, Henry Rathbun, Dr. E. Meriam, Robt. Day, Francis Van Volkenburg, G. B. Gordon, J. Dimon, J. J. Raymond.

Mr. Raymond was ordered to close his doors and windows permanently until further notice. By this prompt action, but one persons died, a colored man whose name I cannot recall. Mr. Dobbins and myself went at midnight and engaged the proper person to bury the unfortunate man.

Those were gloomy times for Wellsville. Fear and apprehension took possession of every heart. As we met each other, the silent inquiry came up. “are you the next one?” “I wonder if you have been exposed?” We did not know upon whom that iron clad notice would be served next, and a loved one’s home be turned into a loathsome pest house and prison, which all were sternly commanded to avoid and its occupants forbidden to leave.

This stern and decisive action of the Board of Health stayed the progress of this loathsome disease and in a short time the embargo was raised, quiet and confidence was restored, business and trade was renewed and Wellsville once more was a healthy and happy town. The cost of this second visitation was $146.26

H. M. Sheerar Jan 1895

Wellsville Daily Reporter July 30, 1895

GREAT FOREST FIRE

Wellsville Seemed Doomed in September 1856

A Timely Rain Saved Our Village From Ruin – Continuation of Dr. Sheerar’s Reminiscences

I have no doubt that there are many persons in Wellsville who have noticed upon our hill tops many trees which are dead, whose smooth trunks and leafless branches mutely appeal to the thoughtful and inquiring minds for explanation. The thick undergrowth of shrubs and small trees also have their teachings.

The older residents of Wellsville understand the meaning of these dumb monuments very well indeed.

The month of September 1856 was a very dry one. The ground was parched, the heavens over our heads were brass and the earth under our feet like iron. About the middle of the month fires began to run in the forests around about. On the 17^th things assumed a most threatening aspect. In almost every direction one turned his eyes could be seen large columns of smoke ascending.

On the 18^th the news reached us that the small village of Stannards’ Corners was burning, and the people were fleeing for their lives, taking a few of their valuables loaded in wagons or any other way, not having time to think or even look back at their homes, melting away in the devouring flames and hastening to any place that promised only temporary refuge.

Mr. Lewis Jones (father of Henry L and David S. Jones) lived a short distance out of town, on the road to Petrolia. The fire came upon his home rapidly. He removed most of his household goods to, as he supposed, a safe distance, but when his house and barn burned, the fire caught in his pile of goods, while he and his wife escaped with only a tin box of valuable papers.

Mr. Joseph Crowner was threatened by the invading foe. The boys (who are men of my age now and older) rallied to his assistance. They had nothing to fight fire with but pails, hoes, rakes, brush and brooms, indeed anything they could lay their hands upon. Crowner’s house, barns, etc were saved. The latter was a peculiar man, his oddities cropped out in various ways.

After the hard fighting, the boys of course were very thirsty. Some one chanced to think that Mr. Crowner had a good dairy. As the water was rather poor and warm, they went down cellar to see if they could find some milk. They found a good supply and began to help themselves, without saying “by your leave sir”. As the old gentleman could not stop them, he said piteously, “Say boys, won’t you be careful and blow back the cream.” I asked the man, who related this to me, if they did blow back the cream “Well, no” said he, “I tell you that milk tasted so good, that we forgot all about the cream, and I don’t think that the amount of cream left in uncle Crowner’s cellar would be enough to enrich one good sized cup of coffee.”

One man took the largest mirror in Mr. Crowner’s parlor, carried it into a near potato field and, carefully covering it up with dirt, placed a stick by the side of it so it could be easily found, then informed Mr. C. where he’d find it. Mr. C. cursed him for what he had done and ordered him to get it back. His orders were obeyed with some reluctance but said the man, “I had some thoughts and wishes that I would not care to see in print nor even tell.”

Mr. Daniel Dobbins came to Wellsville with his family of four children in the spring of 1856. He built the house now owned by Mrs. S. V. Wilcox near Riverside. There was a saw and shingle mill on the Genesee river nearly opposite Mr. Dobbins dwelling, known as the Hull and Morse mill. Dobbins & Fassett owned it at this time. The fire had caught in the logs in the water and also the lumber about the mill. Mrs. Dobbins and her servant, Maggie Barry, went to their assistance: Miss Lydia Dobbins, her brother and two sisters, the dog and cat were left to take care of the house. During the afternoon a brakeman from a passenger train on the Erie R.R. called at the house and informed the children that the fire was running towards Church’s large lumber pile on Coats Switch. The eldest daughter, (now Mrs. Jas Thornton) charged the children what to do and then bravely went to the lumber yard and by hard work saved the valuable lumber.

The next day in the afternoon I was at the easterly end of Main Street near where Mrs. McEwen’s house now is. There was not a brick building in Wellsville then and we knew if the fire once reached our village, there was no help for us. While I was standing there the wind commenced blowing furiously, the air being filled with smoke and dust, the sun could be seen but dimly and looked like a great shield of liquid fire. I could hear a dull, heavy roar which made me think that the westerly end of the village was on fire. I hastened to the side of the nearest building which was about where R. A. Wells store now is. While standing there all alone I saw one of our women running along the street, her hair hanging down about her shoulders, flying in every direction. Frantically throwing her arms, wringing her hands and screaming, with all her might for divine help and salvation, fully believing that the judgment day had come and the great trumpet would very soon sound.

I did not know but the judgment had come, at least to many of us, if the fire had commenced destroying the little town. I dared not go into the street to try to go home and I feared to stay where I was as I expected every second to hear the cry of fire and the shout “run for your lives!” But whither should I run; fire all around us, and what could we do. The pen of a ready writer could not describe the mental agony I suffered for a few moments. In a short time the tempest of wind subsided and I hastened home finding my family in the greatest anxiety for my safety. I soon learned that my feelings had been similar to most of the people of Wellsville.

In every direction we looked we could see the fire marching upon us like a victorious foe upon a beleaguered city. The nearest point of the fire was upon the hill north easterly from the depot, or above Briggs street. We resolved to fight for our homes and loved ones, so long as we could stand. As the sun went down, the fires shown like stars of destruction around us. As large a company of men as we could muster assembled at the station armed with the most available things to fight fire. A despondent company we were, for our enemy was terrible and our means of defense not efficient. Suddenly some one spoke in a clear ringing voice “Hark!” a stillness like the tomb came over that company, then a clear voice, full of emotion, but with clarion tones rang out “It rains”. Then from every heart went forth an earnest and glad some shout “Thank the Lord!”. There was no hypocritical response to those expressions. Heads bowed reverently, eyes filled with tears and hearts swelled with gratitude to the great giver of all goodness for this blessing of rain. We quietly went to our home, feeling a security we had not enjoyed in several days. I venture to say that Wellsville village and township never saw a night before or since, when there was so general and united feeling of earnest thanksgiving as on that evening.

I think it would be very proper for us, especially we older residents of Wellsville, to publicly express in some way our thankfulness for our deliverance from the ravages of fire on the 18^th of September 1856.

WELLSVILLE’S FIRST FIRE DEPARTMENT

In this connection I deem it proper to refer to our facilities for fighting fire. At that time (1856) we had a small hand engine, without suction hose and a discharge hose about five feet in length. It would hold about a barrel of water, which was poured into it, a half dozen boys could manage it, but it did efficient service, for the boys would go with that little engine, when they could not be induced to go with pails.

In 1860 we purchased a good sized hand engine, made at Seneca Falls, for about $600, named it Pioneer. Upon the suction hose case was the following legend, Pro bono publico (For the Public Good) We critics had a quiet laugh over it, but did not feel that our pet engine suffered any disgrace from it.

March 18, 1871, our steamer was purchased of the city of Titusville, Pa for $3,000. When it arrived, the two engines had a trial, both were stationed near the Baptist church. Both engines drew water from the same tank and the result was the Pioneer threw water several inches higher up the church steeple than the steamer, which created quite a sensation.

At our centennial celebration the steamer was in the parade, in all her glory, wreathed with flowers, shining like polished silver, but where was our Pioneer? Reader, just walk a few rods on Madison street and go to the rear of Mr. L. Sweet’s store house and you will find our beloved Pioneer, its wheels sunken in the mud, one of the lever handles broken, the fallen roof of the shanty lying upon it. Shall it remain in obscurity and allowed to crumble into dust, pass into obscurity unnoticed, unhonored and unsung. Mayor Duke’s attention is very respectfully called to the condition of this Pioneer and asked why cannot she have an honored place in our splendid city hall.

Yours thoughtfully, H. M. Sheerar

Wellsville, NY

The following story transcribed by Jane Pinney; Wellsville Daily Reporter - 4/9/1895
A SERIOUS CATASTROPHE

IN THE EARLY DAYS

OF THE TOWN

_____

The Taylor Building Collapse

_____

A MASONIC CELEBRATION THAT ENDED DISASTROUSLY – ANOTHER CHAPTER IN THE REMINISCENSIS OF THE VILLAGE OF WELLSVILLE

_____

By Dr. H.M. Sheerar

There is no doubt a goodly number of the REPORTER readers will remember a three story building which stood a short distance from Main street, back of where the Pullar (or Beever) Block now stands. This was called the “Taylor Building.” It was a large wooden structure used at the time to which I refer as a Fanning mill factory. The basement part was used as a storage place for lumber. The next or 2^nd story, was one room, the size of the building. It was used as a place for putting the Fanning mills, after they were finished. The upper story was filled with paints, boxes, etc. There was an annex of ample size used as the factory at the time referred to. The building was unoccupied, and was therefore a convenient place for holding public meetings.

On June 24^th, 1857, the Masonic fraternity was to celebrate St. John the Baptist’s day, in Wellsville. This building was chosen as the best place in which to hold the celebration. The main room was cleared out for the audience, the annex was fitted up for a dining room, and Mr. Samuel Stiles, who was then the proprietor of the VanBuren House, was to furnish the dinner.

Masons from sister towns were invited to attend. Mr. Carlton L. Farnum was the presiding officer of the Wellsville Lodge and master of ceremonies for the day. A speaker, one high in the craft was expected and preparations for a rare time were made.

The day came, the weather was fine, and the “goose-yang was high.” The Cuba, N.Y. brass band made the long procession through Main St. to Bartlett’s that, located where the W.C.&P.C.R.R. depot now is. The quaint but beautiful costumes of the Masons attracted the attention of all Wellsville.

The music was charming. After the ceremonies at the flat were concluded the company of some four or five hundred marched to the “Taylor building,” entered the hall to rest and wait for the dinner. In due time the announcement for dinner was made. The company arose to march out, when, horrors, the central post that supported the floor slipped from its foundation stone, the floor gave way in the centre, forming a large square “hopper” or funnel into which the company of men and women were tumbled pell mell, a mass of struggling, screaming, frightened humanity.

The wildest excitement prevailed. The floor above came down also, the kegs of dry red paint were broken and their contents scattered upon the imprisoned ones, which gave each the appearance of being besmeared with blood. This of course increased the excitement. Mr. Ambrose Coats and sister were in the crowd and were the first to enter the “hopper,” which opened at the bottom and let them out into the lower story, and thus they were enabled to get out unhurt betwixt two piles of lumber.

Mr. Daniel Dexter was fastened by the neck as his head went through the lathing overhead and thus made a prisoner in the Chinese fashion, it took some time for his extrication; a citizen of Wellsville shouted from one of the windows that he was killed. He was helped out, an ambulance was improvised and he was carefully taken away. It required considerable effort to soothe and keep him quiet until he arrived home, when a careful examination revealed the fact that he had sustained no injuries at all, a simple fright.

Frank Russell, Julius Hoyt and myself hastened to the scene as soon as we heard the news. The sight that met our anxious eyes was terrible. Men and women were lying about on the ground, crying and groaning, and the crowd of lookers-on stood helpless and amazed at the spectacle that confronted them. Miss Abbie Smith (Mrs. Dr. Reed) was caught in the falling debris and was removed with some difficulty by Newton Stoddard, who ripped off the siding of the building in his haste to rescue the lady, tearing her dress into shreds. She sustained no serious injuries. Mr. John Cotton Smith, brother of Mrs. Reed, received a blow upon his head, the mark of which he will probably carry to his grave. Mr. Charles Horton then of Angelica had his collar bone broken and otherwise bruised but nothing fatal.

It took some time to care for the injured and it was a great relief to find out that nobody was killed outright, and but one person had any bones broken. It was reported afterwards that one person Mr. Cartright died from injuries received.

The brass band presented a sorry appearance, as they wended their way to the railway station with battered horns, torn garments and some limping from bruises. We were thankful that the catastrophe was no worse and all breathed easier to know that so many were marvelously saved from a terrible death.

The building was not rebuilt and no one regretted it for it was not a pleasant reminder of one of the many sad scenes, that a few of the older residents of our busy town have witnessed.

April 1895 H.M. SHEERAR

Wellsville Daily Reporter

April 1 1896

(Researched & Transcribed by Mary Rhodes)

WELLSVILLE 50 YEARS AGO

The Late G. B. Gordon’s Reminiscence of the Settlement Here in 1845

Our Main Street Before Railroad Times and when We Were a Part of Scio

On March 27, 1895, a year and a day before his sudden death, Mr. G. B. Gordon was interviewed to gather facts for the forthcoming Centennial History of Allegany County His memory was wonderfully clear and the information volunteered has now become invaluable.

Recollections of the Wellsville of half a century ago can be furnished today by but two or three residents and by none better than they were by the bright mind of “B” Gordon. Mead Shepard and Mrs. John B. Clark verify his reminiscences. Some of these may be interesting to THE REPORTER readers.

Groves Gordon, a tavern keeper, moved here in 1845 from Whitesville, bringing his son George Byron, then a lad of 18 years. The father became landlord of the hotel which stood on the corner of Main, across State street from the present McEwen manufactory. This was known successively as the Shingler, the Scribner and the Fishler hotel. It was totally destroyed by fire about 1858. After some years Byron went into business with James Brown, now a wealthy citizen of Williamsport. They ran a general store in the old building on the corner of Main and Mill streets. This structure is one of the relics of early Wellsville. It was built by Henry Gordon in 1848. Wm Pooler remembers its construction, having helped shingle the roof.

Fifty years ago the number of buildings on our Main street from State to Pearl could be counted on one’s fingers. There were several structures, however above State, the hotel already mentioned built by John B. Clark, his residence on the opposite side of the street, the Gardiner Wells and Fosbury log cabins, and a few barns. The opera house, corner of Main and State street was occupied by Dwight Goodrich’s house and store. Conklin & Adams store was across the street. From State to the Mill street corner, every inch of which is now occupied, was well nigh worthless property. Ephraim Smith had a store near where Scoville, Brown and Co. now do business. The Van Buren hotel stood where the Fassett House now is, and opposite was the old Henry Gordon store. The John F. Godard dwelling, now Jas Macken’s residence, occupied the other corner. The old house, now owned by Grant Duke which stands in the rear of the Gas Co’s office was the most pretentious residence in the village. Its history will be detailed in the County History. Sam’l Palmer’s house and blacksmith shop was about where the old engine house now stands. Bronson’s house and other property occupied the 1^st National Bank site. There was then no Madison street. Beyond on the east side there was not a structure until Seeley’s log house on the present Healey lands, formerly A. R. Hill’s property. W. H. Coats house and shop stood on the present Coats property just above the City Hall. A dense pine forest extended from here to the Ephraim Smith house, now E. C. Bradley’s residence.

Such was the settlement here, six years before the old Erie connected it with the business world and ten years before there was any township of Wellsville. The next five years saw a considerable change and in ten years the place had doubled in population.