In 1888 there was a movement to create a new County called LINCOLN to be made up from towns of Allegany & Steuben Counties.  Obviously, it was unsuccessful, but, the articles below tell a little of the controversy.....

A NEW COUNTY

ARTICLES TAKEN FOR THE ANDOVER NEWS 1888

Submitted by William A. Greene 2007

 

February 22^nd, 1888

An Effort Being Made to Establish a

New County – Andover Interested

 

          An item is going the rounds of the daily papers to the effect that a bill will soon be introduced in the Legislature for the establishment of a new county, to be called “Lincoln,” which will be take from the counties of Steuben and Allegany, including eleven towns from the former and five from the latter.  Hornellsville, which will be the largest town and the county seat, will contribute a considerable sum for the erection of county buildings.

          The following are said to be the towns that will comprise the new county: From Steuben county, Canisteo, Dansville, Fremont, Greenwood, Hartsville, Hornellsville, Howard, Jasper, Troupsburgh, Wayland and West Union; from Allegany county, Alfred, Almond, Andover, Burns and Independence.  These towns had a population of about 38,000 at the last census and it is believed they now contain 50,000 people.

          There is probably no doubt that the effort referred to will be made. We are not posted as to the prospects for success or defeat and probably no one else is.  Our readers will have news of the result, however, as soon as anybody knows it, if we have to send a special representative to Albany to watch the Legislature.  In the meantime we would like to have our readers think the matter over and give us their opinion for publication, in regard to the proposition.

 

February 29^th, 1888

 

          We haven’t heard much from Andover people concerning the new county.  But Hornellsville people are up and doing. The bill has been drawn, and will soon be introduced at Albany. Some people seem to think the matter must come before the people for a vote, but we believe this is a mistake.  The legislature does it all.  We are not posted as to the advisability of making a new county, but he matter ought to be looked into.  Hornellsville will, it is said, contribute $30,000 for county buildings, but it is also asserted that this is not one-quarter of the sum that must be raised to meet necessary expenses.  We don’t know how much it will cost, but somebody ought to find out.

 

March 28^th, 1888

 

This is an editorial taken from the Buffalo Express

And reprinted in the Andover News.

 

          It is difficult at this distance and on such conflicting testimony to ascertain the merit of the case.  But it seems to the Express that the chief opposition to the measure comes from those who hate to lose their grip on these eleven towns. The solicitude of Bath over what it will cost Lincoln County to have the records transcribed would seem much more natural if it was Bath that was to suffer. If the eleven towns want to be set off, and are willing to pay for it, their wish deserves more consideration that the charging of others.  No burden is imposed on Bath or upon Steuben County.  But no positive opinion can be formed till the hearing on the bill.

          And the above remarks apply equally in Allegany.  We do not know the real object in the opposition that comes from Wellsville.  It is not natural for one man to worry much about an expense that must be borne by another party.  So we must conclude that after all it is the reluctance to part with us that brings up this fierce opposition.  We never knew they thought so much of us until there was a probability of losing us.  However, we haven’t gone yet, and if it is seen that the burden of taxation will be too heavy for us to bear (and who can judge better than ourselves?) then the probability is that we will lift up our voice at the proper time.  Until further notice send subscriptions for the News to Andover, Allegany County.