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From the Historical Society ...

MONTOUR FALLS, April 4 --This is the 18th in a series of contributions from Brian J. O'Donnell pertaining to the Schuyler County Historical Society's activities.

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

"A Proud Past --- A Promising Future!"

(108 N. Catharine Street, Montour Falls, NY 14865; phone: 607-535-9741; www.schuylerhistory.org OR info@schuylerhistory.org)
________________________________________________

SCHUYLER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S BRICK TAVERN MUSEUM will be reopening (after the winter season) on Tuesday, April 6th. The Museum's spring hours will be Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Currently there are two new display cases: "SCHUYLER IN THE CIVIL WAR" and "THE GLEN SPRINGS HOTEL". For additional information, visit us on the web at www.schuylerhistory.org or call at: 607-535-9741.

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* More RECENT HISTORY in Schuyler County......

* 1977 United Way: Campaign Chairs were MR. & MRS. RAYMOND BAILEY; neighborhood "Captains" from Moreland & Tyrone were DORIS ECTOR, BEA BROWN & DARLENE MOREHOUSE

* OFFICER PERRY SPECCHIO of the Watkins Glen Police Department was honored in December of 1977 with the Police Cross for VALOR for his efforts in saving a man from a fire on the night of December 14th; Police Chief WILLIAM PIERCE made the presentation;

* Friends of the Watkins Library: newly elected officers for 1978 were: REVEREND LARRY DUNN, President; ROGER REINHART, 1st Vice President; MARY LEMAK, 2nd Vice President; NANCY HERZIG, Secretary; PAUL PARADISO, Treasurer; and Directors: ELISE ISLEY (Student), MARY DURLAND & KATHY GILLETTE; Library plans call for establishing a 1st floor Library facility and having a Library-annex for Schuyler Hospital;

* Watkins Glen ELKS CLUB - #1546 -- Flag Day Essay Contest Winners (June 1978): MARIE THURMOND & KATHIE BEEBE - Odessa Montour Schools; MARIA RONDINARO & TAMMY GIVIN - Watkins Glen Schools; LES GOBLES was Exalted Ruler of the Elks and GARY MEAD was contest chairman;

* June 1978: She-qua-gah Chapter, Schuyler County, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution - MRS. JEAN HINMAN, Regent, and MRS. ELIZABETH BAIRD, former Regent, presented awards to:
--KATHY HATSELL (Junior Homemaking Division)
--MARIO PEVO & TERESA SIMPSON
--MISTY USHER
--Good Citizenship Awards went to: MARLITA ROBERTS, & PATRICIA BROOKS
--Senior Homemaking Award to: KATHY DELL

* July 1978: Beauty Pageant Contestants BRENDA BLAHA, LORRAINE HALL, GENINE LANE & ANGELA NYRE. ANGELA NYRE was awarded the title of "MISS TEENAGER";

* June 1979: Business & Professional Women's Club WOMAN OF THE YEAR was awarded to BETTY LOU PEARSALL, School-Nurse Teacher at the Watkins Glen Elementary School and also quite active in SENECA SANTA;

* June 1979: Outstanding 4-H Members chosen to model garments at the recent Schuyler County Clothing Revue were: DENISE BOYES (MONTOUR FALLS), DAWN DUTTON (Beaver Dams) and CAROL SPENCER (Beaver Dams);

* Celebrating the 50th anniversary of cub SCOUTING were: JOHN PRATT, COLIN HATSELL, BILLY HILL & GARY MILLER

* May 28, 1980: OSCAR B. VALENT graduated from West Point, a member of the 1st coed class in that institution's 178-year history;

* June, 1980: 1st graduating class from Training Resources for Youth (TRY) Alternative High School included two graduates: STACI SINCEBAUGH and KATHY BRAND

* 1980 UNITED FUND CAMPAIGN: CHUCK & VINA CHAMBERLAIN were co-Chairs for the Campaign; United Fund President was MARIE BAILEY; Campaign goal was $34,000

* May 1981: "FANTASY DAY #3" in Watkins Glen: the year "TINY TIM" tiptoed through the streets and MARIE BAILEY fulfilled a life-long fantasy of leading a parade.

* May 1981: Friends of the Watkins Library President ELIZABETH SMITH worked with "Light Up The Lake" Chairman GEORGE MILLER to prepare for the July 4th event;

* June 1982: 2nd Alternative High School GRADUATION honored the following graduates:
FRAN ORESHACK - JOHN RIDER - STEVE FILIPPETI - DWIGHT WILBER - JAY ARDEN - DENNIS WALSH - SANDY THOMPSON - MARYANN CAHILL - RENEE MOSHER. Guest Speaker was DR. MARIE TARPEY, Academic Dean from Elmira College
--Invocation was by: FATHER ANDREW KALAKSKY;
--Benediction was by: REVEREND CLARK N. MC KINNEY;
--Diplomas were awarded by Superintendent DR. JOHN J. KEOUGH, Odessa-Montour; prizes were awarded by teachers: TIM ANDERSON & JEFF SMITH
--Also in attendance were: DR. LLOYD N. PEAK, Superintendent from Watkins Glen Central Schools, MR. DONALD J. AVERILL, Superintendent from Dundee Central Schools, DR. THOMAS J. LOVE past President of Schuyler County Cooperative Extension, and MR. JAMES T. KIRK, JR., Director of the Center for Community Education.

From the Historical Society ...

MONTOUR FALLS, March 1 --This is the 17th in a series of contributions from Brian J. O'Donnell pertaining to the Schuyler County Historical Society's activities.

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

"A Proud Past --- A Promising Future!"

(108 N. Catharine Street, Montour Falls, NY 14865; phone: 607-535-9741; www.schuylerhistory.org OR info@schuylerhistory.org)
________________________________________________

HISTORICAL SOCIETY BENEFIT BREAKFAST --- Sunday, MARCH 7, from 8:00-11:00 a.m. @ Montour Falls MOOSE CLUB

*ALL YOU CAN EAT!
* Adults: $6.00. Kids Ages 5-10: $3.00. Under 5: FREE
* Moose Club -- 2096 State Route 14, Montour Falls, NY 14865
* for more information call: (607) 535 - 9741

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More HISTORICAL markers...

At the entrance to the B.C. Cate Elementary School in Montour Falls you'll find two granite markers at the base of the flagpole:

* JACKSON MEMORIAL PLAYGROUND
Named in tribute to the many years of devoted service to the youth in the
Odessa-Montour Central School District
by
JESSIE C. JACKSON
1969

This FLAGPOLE is Dedicated to JAMES BARRETT, SR.
Faithful Custodian
1922-1965
Parent-Teachers 1965

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SQUIRES JUNIOR DRUM and BUGLE CORPS and PAGES JUNIOR DRUM and BUGLE CORPS news and notes...

* 1971: Squires #3 in World Competition at Lynn, Massachusetts; Drum Major was ERNIE THURSTON

* 1971: Remember the "Boost Them to Boston" campaign? (JIM FRANZESE, Campaign Chair)

* 1972: Pages Drum Majors were JACKIE and KATHY TEETER od Odessa;

* 1972: new Drum Major was PAUL FRANZESE; Drum Majorette was BARB CULLEN

* 1973: Squires Drum Major was BARB CULLEN; Corps. Manager was LARRY GIRVIN

* 1974: Color Guard Members: JOLENE RILEY, TERRI CARRASSAS, JULIE CLEVELAND, MARY DONNELLS, DARLA DAVIS, KAREN MOSHER & BARB DONNELLS

* 1974: among Pages performing at the Spring Concert were: JOE SINCEBAUGH, ROSE GREEN & RYAN TOLMAN; some of the Squires featured at that same concert were KEVIN GLOVER, RON JUST, JODY FIVIE and GREG RAY;

* 1975: President was MR. LLOYD PROSPERI; MRS. HERBERT (SUE) HOLMAN was Secretary; MR. RICHARD TOWER was Treasurer; MR. JAMES HAVENS was Corps Director; and MR. ED CULLEN was elected to Board of Directors (he was past President & Treasurer).

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* November of 1975: VENICO FRABONI completed 50 years of service at the Fraboni Grocery Store; VENICO joined his father in the business on Nov. 24, 1925;

* September of 1976: awarded service pins at Shepard Niles Crane & Hoist Corporation were:
GEORGE BROWN (40 years), BETTY MERRILL (30 years), JOHN CORNISH (20 years), KEITH ARNOLD (10 years), JESSE BEAN (10 years), JOHN BURGESS (10 years), TED SPECCHIO (15 years), CARL MARSHALL (10 years).

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* JANE A. DELANO MEMORIAL on display at Schuyler Hospital (August 1972): CLAYTON GRAHAM of Odessa made the frame for the color photograph. Other members of the Committee charged with securing the picture and arranging to have MISS DELANO'S medals displayed at the Hospital were: STEWART COATS, CHARLES HARRINGTON (President of the Schuyler County Historical Society), ARTHUR H. RICHARDS (Committee Chairman) and advisor HENRY VALENT.

******************

See you in April!

From the Historical Society ...

MONTOUR FALLS, Feb. 1 --This is the 16th in a series of contributions from Brian J. O'Donnell pertaining to the Schuyler County Historical Society's activities.

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

"A Proud Past --- A Promising Future!"

(108 N. Catharine Street, Montour Falls, NY 14865; phone: 607-535-9741; www.schuylerhistory.org OR info@schuylerhistory.org)
________________________________________________

Let's "meet" some more Schuyler County residents who "made a difference."

* STEWART F. "BABE" FIELDS:

-- 30 years of Law Enforcement protecting the lakes, streams and local environment as a NYS Environmental Officer

-- 1983: NYS Environmental Conservation Officer of the Year;

-- 1986: NYS Conservation Officer of the Year awarded by NYS Trout Unlimited Association;
1987: NYS Environmental Conservation Officer of the Year awarded by NYS Conservation Officer's Association;

-- 1986: awarded Governor's Commendation (from Governor Mario Cuomo) for quick action taken on March 25, 1986 stopping a major disaster when an oil tanker was involved in an accident on Route 14;

- Member American Legion, VFW and Elks.

(Thank you Stewart F. Field, Jr., for this information)

* FRANK GANUNG:

-- Town of Dix Supervisor for 42 years (1961-2005)
-- Served two terms as Vice Chairman Board of Supervisors/Schuyler County Legislature
-- Supported auto racing with rebuilding of the Track in 1971 and worked with WGI in bringing racing back to Watkins Glen

(Thank you Bill Green for this information)

* ROBERT G. CARPENTER:

-- active member of American Legion Cole-Hansberger-Deland Post 676 for more than 60 years; very active in establishing the American Legion Memorial Park;
-- Charter member of Odessa Lions Club and active member since 1955
-- one of the driving forces behind establishment of the Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library
-- helped form the Odessa Area Revitalization Committee, which helped resurrect "Odessa Old Home Days"
-- Village of Odessa Village Board (1958-1962 and 1995-2001); Mayor of Odessa (2001-2006)

(Thank you Rita Decker for this information)

* WILLIAM PETERS:

-- former Chairman, United Fund Drive; Vice President, Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce (for six years)
-- Watkins-Montour Rotary Club (President 1977) and actively involved for years on a number of Committees and on the Board of Directors; chaired Rotary District 7120 Conference held in Hershey, Pa. in 1993-94; honored as a "Paul Harris Fellow" and in 1998 was awarded "Four Avenues of Service Citation" by Rotary International
-- Board of Directors, Watkins Grand Prix Corporation (many years) and volunteered often on Grand Prix Festival Committee
-- Advisory Board for Norstar Bank and Treasurer for Tri-County Regional Economic Development & Energy Corporation Board
-- for many years Board Member Five Lakes Development Corporation and Membership Committee for Schuyler County Partnership for Economic Development (SCOPED)
-- Representative to Congressman Amory Houghton's "Working Together 2000 Committee"
-- Board of Directors Schuyler Hospital and long-time Chairman; co-chaired 2000 major fundraising project for the ER and helped raise $500,000
-- 1995 Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

(Thank you Jim Guild for this information)

* WILLIAM ELKINS:

-- a good deal of "pro-bono" legal work for Smith Park in Town of Hector, Horseheads Christian School and Twin Tiers Baptist School (volunteering his services and expertise for good causes);
-- member of Grange 9 Reading Center/Burdett/Searsburg (Master of Grange for many years and Treasurer for Pomona Grange; delegate to State Grange and member State Grange Museum Board);
-- Member of Burdett Players (forerunner of Lake Country Players), holding many "lead" roles;
-- Member of American Legion and World War II veteran;
-- Party Chairman and delegate to Judicial Convention for Conservation Party;
-- Town of Hector Assessment Review Board member;
-- 1st Schuyler County Public Defender (long-time Law Clerk for both Judge Callanan and Judge Argetsinger)

(Thank you Deputy Sheriff Jim Mathers and Irene Elkins for much of this information)

* NICK ANAGNOST:

-- began career at Montour Pharmacy in 1966 (with owner CARROLL MACK), becoming sole owner after Mack's retirement; took a 1,500 square foot store and remodeled/renovated to triple its size & then added on to the present 8,000 square foot store of today. (ALWAYS put the needs of his customers first & foremost, seeing that no one went without the medicine/medication needed);
-- Member Montour Falls Village Board for seven (7) years and former Youth Commissioner;
-- played integral role in establishing Little League Baseball and Cinderella Softball in the County and coached Montour Pharmacy Little League Team for years;
-- for many years was an "anonymous" donor to the Odessa-Montour Central School athletic program;
-- local employer for many, many young people as their mentor and "teacher" for job and interpersonal skills

(Thank you Jim Guild for this information)

* RICHARD BORNHOLDT:

-- Director of Extension Board of the Southern Tier and Planning Consultant for Schuyler County Office of the Aging;
-- worked hard to establish the Office for the Aging and continued a life-long association to implement services for Senior Citizens

(Thanks to Carol Bossard for this information)

* JAMES (JIM) WHITING:

-- "Morning Man" on WFLR Radio for 28 years, very active Rotarian, emcee for the Jazz Festival in the early years, a monthly volunteer at Willard Psychiatric Hospital for 18 years;
-- organized Schuyler County "Fantasy Day" (whereby County residents "traded jobs" with each other for a day of fun/frolic/empathy);
-- cartoonist/illustrator and artist (published more than 15,000 times in local and national newspapers/magazines/books) --great promotor for Schuyler County in donating his talents to countless charitable causes for more than 40 years)

(Thank you Jack & Charlotte Callanan and Dick Schied for much of this information)

These small paragraphs above only list a few of the accomplishments and contributions each of these individuals made to the betterment of life in Schuyler County -- they are not meant to be complete and full by any means, but just give you (the reader) a look at some of those who shared their time/expertise and talent in Schuyler County over more recent years. Truly, they are a part of our County's history & tradition!

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Some additional historical notes pertaining to Schuyler County citizens:

* In October of 1973 ROGER REINHART (Watkins Review) and BOB BURNS (WFLR) bicycled to Penn Yan and back on behalf of their favorite charity (Squires and Glen Beautification Fund for ROGER and the Penn Yan Babe Ruth League & Dundee Little League for BOB). The men completed the 56-mile circuit in great shape in the event hailed as the "GREAT RACE."

* Watkins Glen Mayor BILL SIMIELE and ROGER REINHART (Chair for the Glen Beautification Program) received a check for $51.45 from MISS CHRIS MUIR's Middle School students to add to the funds being raised for the Gifford Park project.

* Remember the "KELLEY MUSIC CABOOSE" (with entertainers JOE ORBIN & DON KELLEY) which would travel around to demonstrate Kimball organs?

* Wonder how many people remember Kindergarten students visiting the Watkins Glen Post Office and learning all about the mail process from such great men as PAT SCHIMIZZI, BRUNO ADESSO and Postmaster BURR STONE.

* ED VAN AMBURG was named "SQUIRE OF THE YEAR for 1973" at the annual Appreciation Dinner for the Squires Junior Drum & Bugle Corp. In 1973 the Squires went on to win 1st Place CLASS A trophies at the AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL & U.S. OPEN -- Drum major was BARB CULLEN; Business Manager was LOUIS MATTHEWS.

* On April 3, 1975 the Jefferson Hotel, Inc., was purchased by THOMAS G. LOLL, an Elmira Accountant. He bought the Hotel from EMMETT G. GILSON, who had owned the Hotel for the past twenty-five years. Plans called for the 40-room Hotel and 28-room Motel to receive extensive renovation and remodeling over a five-year "modernization program."

* On February 16, 1975 DR. FRANCIS WARD, long-time and very popular Schuyler County Physician, died at the age of 71.

SEE YOU NEXT MONTH!!!

From the Historical Society ...

MONTOUR FALLS, Jan. 2 --This is the 15th in a series of contributions from Brian J. O'Donnell pertaining to the Schuyler County Historical Society's activities.

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

"A Proud Past --- A Promising Future!"

(108 N. Catharine Street, Montour Falls, NY 14865; phone: 607-535-9741; www.schuylerhistory.org OR info@schuylerhistory.org)
________________________________________________

Some "more recent" historical information to bring your way...

* February 1958: Masons plan annual show at Watkins Glen -- Jefferson Lodge F&AM presented their annual "Minstrel Show" on February 17 and 18th --JOHN SKINNER, General Chairman; HENRY MORSE - interlocutor; LYNN MARSHALL, FRIEND MILLER, GLENN LAMMERS, WILLIAM CHAPMAN, and other members participated.

* April 1958: 1st annual Antique Fair & Show of the Glen Springs Chapter, Order of Eastern Star was April 26 and 27th at the Masonic Temple. Committees were: publicity MRS. WILLIAM THOMPSON; advertising MRS. HELEN JAMES; hostesses MRS. FLORENCE FIELDS; and food MRS. ELLIE PATRICK. General chairman was MRS. BETTY SNYDER.

* 1959: Watkins Glen Public Library -- housed on the 2nd floor of the Municipal Building --reported a total of 642 active adult patrons and 714 active juvenile patrons with a total circulation for 1959 at 32,303. MRS. MERRILL CLEVELAND, Librarian.

* October 11, 1961: Lions Club sponsored a free visual clinic for pre-schoolers. Lions President D. LLOYD COTTON and DR. HARVEY WEST, Chairman of the Sight Conservation Committee, led the effort.

* March 6, 1963: Schuyler Players (forerunner of Burdett Players) announced plans to stage
the "Philadelphia Story" to benefit Schuyler Hospital. Lead roles were played by BILL KELLY, SUE HAZLITT, FRANK STEBER & WILLIAM ELKINS.

* May 1963: Planning the annual Mid-Atlantic Championships and the NYS Archery Championships were: Michael Vickio, William Boyle, Don Brubaker, John P. Callanan, Sr., John Rowles, Harlow Bailey and Carl Moore.

* May 13, 1964: a group of five men spoke on the topic "The Youth of Schuyler County" as part of the Watkins Glen PTA program. They were: JOE ROONEY (High School Student Council President); JIM WHITING (panel moderator); HENRY VALENT (Attorney); District Attorney WILLIAM ELLISON, and HARRY DUNLAP (Schuyler County Probation Officer).

* January 13, 1970: at the annual "Green and Silver Tea" sponsored by the United Presbyterian Women, MISS CONNIE SINGLETON played several piano selections and MRS. FRANKLIN HINMAN spoke and showed slides of a trip to Holland. MRS. LLOYD COTTON was Chairwoman, and MRS. RICHARD BORNHOLDT was UPW President.

* November 18, 1970: members of the Watkins Glen "Youth Center" Board are: REV. CLARK N. MC KINNEY, Pastor of the United Presbyterian Church; LYNDON MARSHALL, JOSEPH FRABONI, JOSEPH SCAPTURA, DR. LLOYD N. PEAK and Attorney HENRY VALENT.

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How about some other people who have contributed to the history & tradition that is Schuyler County?

* DR. FRITZ LANSBERG: arriving in Watkins Glen with his wife -- fleeing from Nazi Germany -- he devoted more than 40 years of his life treating the sick and injured of Schuyler County. Not only did he provide much needed medical services, he also provided culturally enriching contributions as well to our community and to surrounding areas. For many years he was the Watkins Glen School Doctor and he was most instrumental in helping establish Schuyler Hospital. Dr. Lansberg was an avid Rotarian, leading the International Lecture Series. He actively supported the Chamber of Commerce, was Concertmaster for the Corning Philharmonic Orchestra, and was one of the very first members of the Seneca Lake Pure Water Association. He was the first male member of the League of Women Voters. He promoted the "Arts" through his music and took a leadership role in the Watkins Glen Summer Theater. He was very vocal in his appreciation for democracy and valued his citizenship here as the most outstanding event of his life. (Thank you Patricia Suits Ellison for this background information!)

* ROSE CICCONE: we all know ROSE as the person behind the well received "Concerts in the Park" series at Lafayette Park (23 years of spirited, enthusiastic and very dedicated service to our community); these Concerts have attracted hundreds and hundreds of people from all parts of New York State to our community; ROSE was also heavily involved in fund-raising activities for the refurbishing of the bandstand, the installation of a new sound system, the construction of the dance floor area and so much more. For a number of years ROSE was an active volunteer for United Way, a long-time volunteer with the Chamber of Commerce, a four-year member of the Village Board of Watkins Glen and is currently a cheerful/happy "greeter" at Wal-Mart. ROSE is a dedicated individual who has used her time and energy for the betterment of our community. (Thank you Sam Schimizzi and Wanda Centurelli for some of this background information.)

* DARWIN FARBER: In 1973 Darwin purchased the "old" Schuyler Hospital and converted it into a home for elderly and physically challenged residents -- The Falls Home -- providing employment for more than fifty people, generating a cash flow in excess of $1 million and providing total/quality care for hundreds of individuals through the years. He served on the Board of Schuyler Hospital from 1987-1993 and in 1991 chaired the Hospital's 1st major capital campaign in 20 years, raising more than $600,000. In 1987 he was appointed -- by Schuyler County -- to the Board of Corning Community College, becoming Board Chairman in 1993, and was also appointed to the Association of Boards of Trustees of Community Colleges, which represented 30 Community Colleges in New York State. In addition, Darwin served on the Southern Tier and Regional Health Systems Agency Board. (Thank you Jackie Farber for much of this background information).

* ELMER SHERWOOD: Born in Cayutaville, Elmer Sherwood (1866-1950) was very involved in our communities and County for most of his lifetime. He came to Odessa in 1891, bought land and established a nursery of fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs. He operated his nursery for over 50 years and shipped -- via the Lehigh Valley Railroad -- over a large part of the Northeast and over the years employed more than 100 salesmen. He donated 70 trees to Laurel Hill Cemetery. Elmer served as Odessa Village Supervisor (1898-1905 and again 1930-1934) and in 1904 was one of the founders of the Odessa Telephone Company (serving as its President for many years). He was also instrumental in organizing the Odessa Fire & Hose Company and in the construction of the Odessa Town Hall. (Thank you Betty Strath & L.C. Cleaver for this background information).

* HOMER & FRAN ELLISON: Homer & Fran operated Ellison's Souvenir Shop for 53 years (from May through October seven days a week through Homer's death in 1980 and for another 10 years thereafter by Fran until 1990). Homer & Fran were great spokespersons for Watkins Glen and Schuyler County, telling everyone of area attractions and speaking of their younger days growing up in Schuyler County. According to their granddaughter -- Cheryl Arnold -- "You can't ask for a better example of public relations when tourists will return to the same area just to chat with merchants. In their own colorful way, Homer and Fran Ellison contributed to Schuyler County history as merchants who took the time to explain the area's history to strangers."

* "UNCLE NICK"PARADISO: well known figure about town, active member of the Elks, Code Enforcement Officer, Fire Inspector, Village Trustee, Acting Mayor, Tax Assessor, Urban Renewal Director, owned several local businesses throughout his life, involved in Zoning, Conservation, Environmental and Flood Insurance programs, early Grand Prix supporter, unofficial Town Historian --- someone totally involved in his community. (Thank you Regina Wescott for this background information.)

Look for additional contributing citizens of our County in next month's article!

From the Historical Society ...

MONTOUR FALLS, Oct. 2 --This is the 14th in a series of contributions from Brian J. O'Donnell pertaining to the Schuyler County Historical Society's activities.

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

"A Proud Past --- A Promising Future!"

(108 N. Catharine Street, Montour Falls, NY 14865; phone: 607-535-9741; www.schuylerhistory.org OR info@schuylerhistory.org)
________________________________________________

Thank you, DIANA ROBINSON

New York State Fire Academy Librarian DIANA ROBINSON gave a very interesting & informative presentation on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 focused on the history of the Fire Academy structure and then gave a tour of the facility to those in attendance. Although the audience was small in number, the presentation was a grand and well-prepared talk which illustrated the years 1858 (the year the cornerstone was laid), the "People's College (1864-1866?), a Masonic Orphanage (1868-1870?), COOK ACADEMY (1870-1943?), St. John's of the Atonement Seminary (1948-1968) and now
the New York State Fire Academy (1971-1974) and re-dedicated as the Senator Frederick
L. Warder Academy of Fire Science on October 25, 1980.

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JOHN MAGEE continued..... information from the book "In Memoriam -- JOHN MAGEE" by Reverend F.S. Howe, Pastor, Presbyterian Church, Watkins Glen, NY 1870

On January 6, 1820 JOHN MAGEE married SARAH MC BURNEY (daughter of the then County Judge). "This devoted wife was removed by death, on the fifteenth of May, 1828, leaving no children." His second marriage took place in Washington, D.C., when he married ARABELLA STEUART on February 22, 1831 --- a union that would last for the next thirty-three years until her death by sudden heart disease on May 16, 1864 in Watkins. Together they had ten children -- six of whom predeceased ARABELLA.

In the year of 1831 JOHN MAGEE (pictured at right) was selected to be the 1st President of the newly-formed Steuben County Bank. He held the position until he moved from Steuben County, yet continued the principal oversight of the bank until his death thirty-seven years later. Living in Bath, NY, MR. MAGEE was quite actively involved in the New York & Erie Railroad and he also constructed the roadway between Binghamton and Hornellsville and from Hornellsville to Genesee (over 140 miles). He was also instrumental in the building of the Cohocton Valley Railroad (from Corning to Buffalo). Additionally he was involved with the Blossburg & Corning Railroad. Expanding his interests he opened coal mines at Fall Brook in 1859 and even laid out the Village of Fall Brook
.
In 1864 JOHN MAGEE moved from Bath to Watkins and purchased extensive acreage (for trestle works, coal shipment & delivery, homes for his employees, his own home and many other reasons). He eagerly contributed to the erection of county buildings, cemetery grounds, and new streets and highways. He donated $30,000 to help erect a new Presbyterian Church and parsonage in the Village of Watkins and when building costs soared beyond that he committed additional funds as well. In 1867 he was selected to be a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of the State of New York -- his last public service as his health was rapidly declining. His death came on April 5, 1868. Pall bearers for JOHN MAGEE were: JOHN ARNOT of Elmira, ASHER TYLER of Elmira, JAMES. R. WILSON of Mansfield, Pa., THOMAS A. JOHNSON of Corning, GEORGE B. GUINNIP of Watkins, GEORGE G. FREER of Watkins, WILLIAM HARING of Watkins and DANIEL JACKSON of Watkins. Burial took place in Glenwood Cemetery -- a large Italian marble monument marks his final resting place.

................thank you KEN WILSON for the loan of Reverend Howe's book!

Photo in text: John Magee

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Historic Roadside Markers continued...

Roadside sign in front of the Cayuta Town Hall:

"Cayuta Originally Organized in March 24, 1824
Cayuta Festival 1984 160 Year Celebration"

Note: The Cayuta Town Hall structure was originally a school house built in 1902.

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Oral History Project...

Students from both the Odessa-Montour and Watkins Glen Central School Districts are spearheading an "Oral History" project to interview long-time residents from our communities asking them to share their memories on particular topics of interest (i.e. "Flood of 1935", etc.) The Historical Society's Vice President JERRY SMYDER is leading this project and coordinating the particulars with PAT WOOD from the Odessa-Montour High School and CATHY MANGUS from Watkins Glen Middle School. Although plans are being finalized now, the intent is to have members of the school's Junior National Honor Societies contact those to be interviewed and ask for their assistance in compiling some first-hand knowledge which will then be produced on DVD's for preservation. If you or someone you know is contacted in the very near future to participate in this project, please consider participating as the Historical Society seeks to "discover" and preserve more of Schuyler County history! (More on this important project in next month's column!)

From the Historical Society ...

MONTOUR FALLS, Sept. 1 --This is the 13th in a series of monthly contributions from Brian J. O'Donnell pertaining to the Schuyler County Historical Society's activities.

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

"A Proud Past --- A Promising Future!"

(108 N. Catharine Street, Montour Falls, NY 14865; phone: 607-535-9741; www.schuylerhistory.org OR info@schuylerhistory.org)
________________________________________________

Historic Roadside Markers (continued from last month)...

As you drive out of Montour Falls on Route 14, you will find the following historical markers:

* (on the right hand side of the highway at the intersection of Havana Glen Road and Route 14)

-- SITE OF CATHARINE'S TOWN Destroyed in 1779 by General Sullivan
Indian Name "CHEQUAGA" After Catharine Montour, A Seneca Queen

*( a little bit farther South and to your left at the intersection of Route 14 and Jackson Hill Road is the following...)

-- FIRST ROAD
In Schuyler County Built June, 1799 from Present Owego Street Bridge to Spenser
Known as the Cath.Spenser Turnpike

* (a little farther South in the rest area, you'll find one Historic Road Marker and two granite monuments)

-- historic road marker:
SULLIVAN TRAIL
COLONIES WAR WITH SIX INDIAN NATIONS

-- granite monuments:

#1 - Side 1
Route of the Armies of General John Sullivan and General James Clinton 1779.
An Expedition Against the Hostile Indian Nations Which Checked the Aggression of the English and Indians on the Frontiers of New York and Pennsylvania, Extending Westward the Dominion of the United States.
Erected by .State of New York 1929
(this brass plate also includes a 'relief' of each General and a map of the entire campaign)

#1 - Side 2
CATHARINE'S TOWN
A Village of the Senecas Destroyed by a Continental Army Under General John Sullivan
British and Indians Defeated at the Battle of Newtown August 29, 1779 Retreated to this Place
When a Two Day's War Council Resulted in Abandonment of their Villages, Orchards and Crops
and Further Retreat to the Protection of the British at Fort Niagara the Home of Catharine Montour
Sister of Queen Esther Montour of Wyoming Notoriety and Reputed Grand-Daughter of Madame
Montour Interpretess for the Colony of New York in Early 18th Century
Erected by State of New York 1929

#2 Route Between Lakes
Sullivan Expedition 1779
This Campaign Severed the English-Indian Alliance and Checked English Aggression
on our Western Frontier
Erected by She-Qua-Gah Chapter D.A.R.
June 14, 1922
(this brass plate also depicts a 'relief' of Seneca and Cayuga Lakes with Indian Towns and Camp Sites named on Sullivan's Line of March)

* (Another historic road sign worthy of mention is found just North of Watkins Glen on Route 14 near the bridge by what many remember as Gabriel's Junction)

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
Luther Cleveland and Wife Sheltered Fugitive Slaves Here and Helped Them on Their Way to Canada
(our entire area was known as a major station area as part of the Underground Railroad for slaves escaping from the South prior to and during the Civil War)

... there is sure quite a "HISTORY" to be found in our area --- you only have to look for it! If you know of other historic road markers not mentioned here this month or last month, please let me know and I'll feature them in October (send me an e-mail at bodonnell@stny.rr.com)

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In Memoriam --- JOHN MAGEE by Reverend F.S. Howe, Pastor, Presbyterian Church, Watkins, N.Y. 1870...

KEN WILSON recently was given a first-run copy of Rev. Howe's book -- "a sketch of his life (JOHN MAGEE)" and shared it with me so I could share it with you. This book -- for many years -- was in the personal library of SIMEON L. ROOD, the 1st Judge of Schuyler County. JUDGE ROOD was born in Vermont March 19, 1804, was County Clerk in Chemung County in the 1840s and was appointed Judge of Chemung County in 1836. He became Schuyler County's 1st Judge on January 1, 1854. Judge Rood died on August 17, 1892.

From Reverend Howe's forward:
"It has been the aim of this Memorial to conform, at least in a reasonable degree, to its subject. .... The incidents of such a life as his, have their own intrinsic interest and need no embellishment."

JOHN MAGEE

-- born at the Irish settlement, near Easton (Northcumberland County), Pennsylvania September 3, 1794
-- family moved to Groveland (Livingston County) New York in 1805, the same year his mother died (in Groveland) ; in 1808 the family moved near Detroit, Michigan;
-- in 1812, John enlisted in the Army (Rifle Company of Captain A. DeQuendra) and immediately saw active service in several battles with the Indians;
-- captured shortly thereafter, he was a "prisoner on parole" until 1813; captured a second time (June 1813), he escaped and then was appointed as a messenger to carry dispatches between Fort Niagara and Washington;
-- in the spring of 1816, he settled in Bath, N.Y. to begin his life's work (as Reverend Howe so ably puts it -- "It had been the result of the removals of his father's family, the want of schools, and other privations met in the newly-settled state of the country, that he had entered upon the work of life almost destitude of education.")
-- he tried farming, then was elected to the post of "Constable & Collector"; in 1819 he became DeputySheriff and in 1820 was appointed Marshall for Steuben County (to take the census). In 1821 he was appointed/elected to the office of High Sheriff (serving until 1826). In 1826 he was elected to the U.S. Congress (and re-elected in 1828). During this period of time in Washington, D.C. he became friend and confidant to President Andrew Jackson (rejecting the offer of a Cabinet position, opting for more "freedom of action" and business pursuits.) .................................................

(this story will continue in this column for October and will include his marriages, his business ventures, his arrival in Watkins and his death on April 5, 1868)...

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See you in October!

From the Historical Society ...

MONTOUR FALLS, July 27 --This is the 12th in a series of monthly contributions from Brian J. O'Donnell pertaining to the Schuyler County Historical Society's activities.

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

"A Proud Past --- A Promising Future!"

(108 N. Catharine Street, Montour Falls, NY 14865; phone: 607-535-9741; www.schuylerhistory.org OR info@schuylerhistory.org)
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New York State Historical Road Marker Program:

As promised in my last article, I want to bring you some information pertaining to those Historic Road Signs you all see along our roads throughout New York State.

The STATE HISTORIC MARKER Program was begun in 1926 by the State Education to commemorate the Sequicentennial of our American Revolution.

During 1926-1939 more than 2,800 small, cast-iron site markers were erected statewide. Due to the loss of public funding, this initiative to identify and note local historical sites stalled until the 1960s. At that time a new State Historic Marker Program was established with restored public funding ... but with the ever changing nature of automobile travel (high speed cars and increased traffic on our roads), it was no longer considered safe to erect small historic signs along the edge of our highways. Slowing
down or stopping to read them could be risky business.

In the 1960s it was determined that available funding would only be applied to much larger, more detailed signs erected in established "rest areas" where drivers could pull off the highway to read them in relative safety. This led to another concern, however. By placing such historic markers ONLY in established "rest areas," historians could no longer identify exact sites in the manner the smaller roadside signs had done decades before. Descriptions had to be more broadly written -- often referring to places/events miles away from the actual signage. Again, inconsistent funding also led to the demise of this program.

New York State now leaves the care, maintenance and creation of any new signs to local communities. In some areas of our State various community organizations and/or Historical Societies have taken on the responsibility of caring for current signs and erecting any new ones, and as always -- especially with the economic times of today -- funding remains the number one concern.

Driving the roads/highways throughout Schuyler County, you will encounter dozens of these Historic Markers. Driving North on Route 414 on the east side of Seneca Lake between Clute Park and Valois, you will find the following (with apologies for any I may have missed, or those claimed by "Mother Nature" -- hidden by summer shrubs/bushes, or those simply rusted away and/or removed for whatever reason):

* (right near Hector Falls/Chalet Leon - about 2.6 miles from Clute Park on the left hand side of the road):
-- WOOLEN MILL: Samuel A. Seely Erected a Woolen Mill at This Place in 1801
-- the First in Schuyler County
-- WAREHOUSE On this Site in 1823; a Vessel Loaded 70 Tons of Wheat and Reached Port of New York Through the Erie Canal

* (in the area between 4 and 8 miles from Clute Park on both sides of the highway):
-- MILITARY ROUTE Of the Sullivan-Clinton Army on its Campaign Against the British & Indians of Western New York in 1779
-- EPISCOPAL PARISH Consecrated Here in 1830 by Bishop Hobart Church; Building and Support of Rector Made Possible Through Gifts of Elizabeth Woodward
-- EARLY SETTLER: State Survey 1790 Locates Here Cabin One, MASTERS, With Twenty Acres Cleared Land

*(returning back toward Watkins Glen from Valois -- all on right side of the highway):
-- CON-DAW-HAW: Site of Iroquois Village Consisting of Cornfields, Long House and Cabins -- Destroyed Sept. 4, 1779 by General Sullivan's Troops (just across from Seneca Union Cemetery in Valois)

* through Hector and toward Watkins Glen:
-- FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: Organized 1809; Present Edifice Built 1818; Sunday School Held Continuously Since 1813
-- PEACH ORCHARD (GA DI-ODJI-YA-DA): Site of Iriquois Village; General Sullivan Camped Here September 3, 1779
-- CAMP SITE: Gen. Hand's Light Corps Camp Extending West Here -- Sullivan-Clinton Campaign, September 3, 1779
-- SAW MILL CREEK: First Saw Mill Built in Section Located Here; Built By Reuben Smith
-- SULLIVAN TRAIL: Colonies War With Six Indian Nations
-- SITE OF CABIN of William Wickham, First Settler in Town of Hector 1791; Direct Descendent of Earl of Wyk ham

* In next month's article I'll present those Historic Road Markers found going along Route 14 South of Watkins Glen.....

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More "Did You Know" from LOUISE STILLMAN'S book, "Schuyler -- Around and
About":


* the 1st Post Office -- named Catharinestown -- was established in Schuyler County at Mills Landing (now Montour Falls) in 1802 -- the 1st Postmaster was GEORGE MILLS -- his 1st quarterly report revealed an income of $.37

* CHARLES COOK (sometimes called the "Father of Schuyler County") came to Havana (Montour Falls) in 1829, became the Canal Commissioner for the Chemung Canal and built a Bank (1851), a Church (1853), the Montour House (his home and a hotel) in 1854, a County Court House, a County Clerk's Building, a Sheriff's Building, etc.

* Montour Falls: known as Mills Landing (1802) Catharine's Landing (1824) Havana (1828) and Montour Falls (1895)

* Glen Springs Sanitarium, later Padua -- now gone completely -- was established in 1890 by WILLIAM E. LEFFINGWELL and became world famous as a health resort & mecca for tourists;

* in 1929 Shepard Niles Company bought and gave to the Town of Montour much of the Havana Glen area (to save its beauty for the public); an unusual plant , "the Walking Fern" grows in Havana Glen and its name was used as the title of the school newspaper for Cook Academy;

* the Chemung Canal -- connecting Elmira and Watkins Glen and the Erie Canal -- was 23 miles long, 42 feet wide, 5 feet deep and had 45 locks north of Montour Falls and 5 more locks to the Chemung River;

* COOK ACADEMY opened in 1873 and closed in 1943; ST. JOHN'S of the ATONEMENT SEMINARY opened in 1949 on the same site and in 1970 the NEW YORK STATE WARDER ACADEMY OF FIRE SCIENCE opened on the same site;

* COOK ACADEMY -- Baptist oriented -- had compulsory military training (believed to provide good discipline for boys)

* at the Indian Well named CHEQUAGAH FALLS (means "Roaring Waters"), the famous Senecan Chief RED JACKET -- one of the outstanding orators of his day -- practiced his oratorical skills amid the roaring of the water falls while visiting here as a young boy;

* the FREER HOUSE (124 E. Fourth St., Watkins Glen) was built about 1830. JUDGE FREER came to Watkins Glen to defend the will of DR. SAMUEL WATKINS -- the Village founder -- and ended up marrying Dr. Watkins' widow CYNTHIA ANN CASS, who died a year later, leaving him the wealthiest person in the Village in 1853.

.....again my thanks to LOUISE V. STILLMAN for her love of history and skill at recording that history -- much of what I have been able to bring to you these past months!

From the Historical Society ...

MONTOUR FALLS, July 5 --This is the 11th in a series of monthly contributions from Brian J. O'Donnell pertaining to the Schuyler County Historical Society's activities.

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

"A Proud Past --- A Promising Future!"

(108 N. Catharine Street, Montour Falls, NY 14865; phone: 607-535-9741; www.schuylerhistory.org OR info@schuylerhistory.org)
________________________________________________

BOOK SIGNING & LEE SCHOOL Open House -- July 11th

Six area authors -- BARBARA BELL, VIRGINIA BRUCKNER, GARY EMERSON, CAROL FAGNAN, TONY INGRAHAM & FRANK STEBER -- will be available to chat and the LEE SCHOOL will be open to tour on Saturday, July 11, 2009 from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. This is your opportunity to purchase some of the written history of Schuyler County from several dedicated authors and to tour a one-room schoolhouse as well. The LEE SCHOOL is located on State Route 14 in Montour Falls. For more information, please call: 535-9741 or e-mail: info@schuylerhistory.org

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FREEMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION New York Regional History Competition for the Watkins Glen Middle School.....

The winners of this competition, sponsored by the Historical Society, are:

* Gr. 5 and Gr. 6:
1st place: MEGAN HOY - $175.00 cash prize - for her project: "Watkins Glen State Park"
2nd place: BROOKE SHAFFER - $75.00 cash prize - for her project: "Big Gully"

* Gr. 7 and Gr. 8:
1st place: SARAH HAZLITT - $175.00 cash prize - for her project: "Lehigh Valley Culvert"
2nd place: CHELSEA KENNARD - $75.00 cash award - for her project: "Ernie Davis"

* The winning projects will be on display at the Historical Society Gray Brick Museum all during the month of July - please stop in and see these wonderful projects!

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DID YOU KNOW? (A selection of facts from LOUISE STILLMAN's book "Schuyler - Around and About ")

..... 'the Town of Hector was formed from Ovid (Seneca County) March 3, 1802 - the 1st settlement in 1791 was made by WILLIAM WICKHAM & JOHN LIVINGSTON; from Connecticut came the families of REUBEN SMITH, RICHARD ELY, GROVER SMITH & DANIEL EVERTS '

.....'the Town of Montour was formed from Catharine; Havana was incorporated May 13, 1836; at the time Havana was a station on the old Chemung Canal and also on the railroad; Montour contained three churches, two flour mills, two foundries, a woolen factory, a plaster mill, extensive stoneware works, a planing mill, a spoke & hub factory, and had a population of about 1500'

.....'the Nick Carter detective stories - today rare collectibles - were written by a Watkins Glen native - VAN RENSALEAR DEY - the son of a Seneca Lake steamboat captain'

.....'in 1891 Cook Academy (the Montour Falls high school and a Boys' Boarding School) -- now the NYS Fire Academy -- had tuition rates of $50.00 per year, $9.00 annually for fuel; cost of a room was $12.00 per year; food costs were $3.00 per week'

.....'Watkins Glen was incorporated as a Village named JEFFERSON in 1842 then changed to WATKINS in 1852 and to WATKINS GLEN in 1926; Montour Falls was incorporated under the name of HAVANA in 1836, with name changed to MONTOUR FALLS in 1895; Odessa was first incorporated in 1903 (first name for the Village was CATLIN MILLS); and Vilage of Burdett was incorporated in 1903 (first name for the Village was HAMBURG)'

.....some famous names (in brief)
*JAMES SHEPARD - from Montour Falls - started a shop near the Main Street bridge that grew into the Shepard Niles Crane & Hoist Company, producer of the world's largest cranes';

* 'Two brothers - JOHN A. CLUTE & WARREN W. CLUTE -organized the Watkins Salt Company';

* 'JOSEPH VICKIO had the 1st wall phone (later dial phone) in Schuyler County (1940)';

* 'JOHN J. THOMPSON - following in the footsteps of his grandfather and his father - at the time of his retirement -completed a total of 120 years of family Pharmaceutical service to Schuyler County';

* 'Schuyler County is named for PHILIP SCHUYLER, a Continental Army General during the American Revolutionary War - he was also a Member of the Continental Congress and a Senator from the State of New York';

* 'DR. SAMUEL WATKINS, founder of Watkins Glen, came here in 1825; he laid out the streets, mapped the Village, built several stores, mills and homes and also built the Jefferson House (now the site of GMI Villager) - Dr. Watkins named this new town "Salubria" ';

* 'EARL W. VEDDER was the 1st commander of American Legion Montour Post 882 (Chartered on March 26, 1920); HAROLD CASSIDY was 1st Post commander for the "William Coon" Post , VFW #2674 (1st meeting was held on December 9, 1932); WILLIS GLOVER was 1st Post commander for the Meade-Price Post #1208 of Wayne; the Watkins Glen Seneca Post 555 of the American Legion originated on October 17, 1919 due mainly to the influence of L.W. ARGETSINGER, and the 1st commander was WILLIAM M. LAFFINGWELL';

*' DR. ARTHUR H. JACKSON, SR., practiced medicine in Schuyler County for more than 50 years starting in 1906 and assisted at the delivery of more than 4,000 babies;

* CLAUDIUS TOWNSEND, CONSIDER B. EVANS, JONAS BLOWER & DORA BENSON were among the first settlers in the Village of Townsend';

* 'the EBENEZER PERRY family were the 1st settlers in Beaver Dams';

* 'JOHN A. DIX had the Town of Dix named for him; it was formed from Catlin (Chemung County) April 17, 1835';

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Watch in August for more historical nuggets "From the Pen of Louise V. Stillman" and some pictures and information pertaining to historical road markers in Schuyler County!

From the Historical Society ...

MONTOUR FALLS, June 8--This is the 10th in a series of monthly contributions from Brian J. O'Donnell pertaining to the Schuyler County Historical Society's activities.

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

"A Proud Past --- A Promising Future!"

(108 N. Catharine Street, Montour Falls, NY 14865; phone: 607-535-9741; www.schuylerhistory.org OR info@schuylerhistory.org)
________________________________________________

SCHUYLER COUNTY HALL OF FAME

As we gear up for another Schuyler County HALL OF FAME Induction Ceremony, already scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, 2009 from 4:30-6:00 p.m., at SENECA LODGE in Watkins Glen, I'm happy to report that the "Hall of Fame" plaques/pictures from the Class of 1995-1996-1997-2000 and 2007 will soon once again be gracing the walls of the newly-renovated Schuyler County Office Building in Watkins Glen (where they have been on display for a number of years now).

During the past several months -- since November of 2008 (while the County Building renovation took place) -- the "Hall of Fame" plaques/pictures have been on display throughout Schuyler County (in the Montour Falls Memorial Library thanks to LUKE RONDINARO, Library Director); the Watkins Glen Public Library (thanks to HARRIET L. EISMAN, Library Director); the Watkins Glen High School (thanks to Principal DAVID WARREN), the Schuyler County Historical Society (thanks to ANDREW E. TOMPKINS, Museum Director); the Howard Hanlon Elementary School in Odessa (thanks to Principal TIM YOUNG), and the Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library in Odessa (thanks to GAYLE GREUBER). The 2008 honorees -- KEN WILSON, JIM WILSON & ARTHUR RICHARDS -- will remain on display at the Watkins Glen Public Library until the Class of 2009 inductees are honored.

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NEW BOOK ABOUT WATKINS GLEN

GORDON COOPER, (WG High School Class of 1983 - currently living in California) has written "WATKINS GLEN TOUR GUIDE," 320 pages in full color with lots of pictures and maps. GORDON'S book has about 90 pages of local history, 30 pages of a "walking tour" through the Village of Watkins Glen, about 130 pages of very detailed information on Watkins Glen's "gorge trail" and about 16 pages each on the "old" Race Course, local wineries and the Finger Lakes Trail. The cost for this outstanding book is just $29.95 with the release/availability date scheduled for early-to-mid August. Some sample pages of this book may be found at:
http://www.prestonwoods.com/TourGuide.html

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MEET LOUISE V. STILLMAN

For the past several months I've been taking information from MRS. STILLMAN'S book, "Schuyler - Around and About -- from the pen of Louise V. Stillman" and presenting it here to note many of the historic individuals from our area who are well known as part of Schuyler County history.

This month I want to have you "meet" LOUISE STILLMAN herself. On September 15, 1995 I hand-delivered a letter to Mrs. Stillman informing her that the Schuyler County HALL OF FAME Advisory Committee had selected her to be one of the inaugural members of the HALL OF FAME. That letter went on to state, "Your selection is reflective of dedicated years of service which have brought distinction to you along with reflected prestige upon Schuyler County." She was gracious and humble and almost speechless with that news. A few days later I received a lovely note from her which read, "You sure know how to brighten up a day!"

From her "Hall of Fame" plaque, we find the following achievements:
* Librarian at the Watkins Glen High School 1940-1943 and 1947-1972
* Researched & chronicled much of the Watkins Glen District History through 1972
* Author of "Schuyler -- Around and About" (29 historical essays illustrating County history & lore)
* Historian for Town of Montour & Village of Montour Falls and Deputy County Historian
* Named "MRS. MONTOUR FALLS" May 4, 1991 at May Day Fest in Montour Falls
* Member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Finger Lakes Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commission

In addition, LOUISE served on the Boards of the Schuyler County Mental Health Society, the Disabilities Admissions Committee of ARC, the Senior Falls Business Association, and the American Legion Auxiliary Post 882, for which she was a Past President. She served on the Montour Falls Board of Appeals, was Past Chairman for the Schuyler County Democratic Committee and was a Member of the Democratic National Committee and the NYS Democratic Committee. She also was Past President & Trustee of the Schuyler County Historical Society.

Born on August 13, 1913 at Montour Falls and a graduate of Cook Academy, she also graduated from Marquette University and received her MLS Degree from SUNY at Geneseo. Following her 30-year teaching career, she was the founder and President for the Schuyler County Association of Retired Teachers.

From an article written by Karey Solomon for the Elmira Star Gazette, "Stillman met her husband (George) -- and partner in preservation -- in the Montour Falls Library when they were children. They later opened Stillman's Greenhouse on Route 14. "He was always in the library when I was there, " Stillman said. "I never figured he was the one I was going to be married to. It was the best thing I ever did when I married him."

A great deal of what we know about Schuyler County history comes from the efforts and passion of Louise V. Stillman. After a long life devoted to historical pursuits, Louise died on September 18, 2000 at the age of 87. Her wit and wisdom are missed, but her legacy lives on!

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HISTORICAL SOCIETY FORMS NEW EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The Vice President for the Trustees of the Historical Society, JERRY SMYDER, hosted a meeting on June 11th to form a new Education Committee to foster a stronger relationship with Schuyler County Schools. Attending this inaugural meeting were PAT WOOD (Odessa-Montour History Teacher), MAGGIE EDGLEY (WG High School Librarian) and CRAIG CHEPLICK (WG HS History Teacher), along with ANDREW TOMPKINS (Museum Director) and myself. Many other representatives from Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour and Bradford schools were unavailable for this meeting but remain interested and want to participate in future meetings and planning.

Discussion at this meeting centered around what currently is in place for students in our communities and what short-term and long-term projects may be possible beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. We talked about tours of the Gray Brick Museum & the Lee School, developing Oral Histories on key topics (Flood of 1935, the Great Depression, the 1960's, etc.), historical exhibits/displays in each of the schools, the creation of informational packets/brochures for the public, creation of a multi-media DVD of facilities/resources, and service projects to include restoration of the Wedgwood School. A follow-up meeting is planned for early August to finalize some of the ideas.

From the Historical Society ...

MONTOUR FALLS, May 5--This is the ninth in a series of monthly contributions from Brian J. O'Donnell pertaining to the Schuyler County Historical Society's activities.

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

"A Proud Past --- A Promising Future!"

(108 N. Catharine Street, Montour Falls, NY 14865; phone: 607-535-9741; www.schuylerhistory.org OR info@schuylerhistory.org)
________________________________________________

* VICTORIAN TEA 2009 -- Saturday, May 9th 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m....

Reminder that the annual VICTORIAN TEA is this Saturday, May 9 -- please call ahead for reservations (535-9741)...

ANDREW E. TOMPKINS

* Congratulations to Museum Director ANDREW E. TOMPKINS upon his graduation on 4/30/09 from "Leadership Schuyler"; for 150 graduates over the past eight years, this valuable training program has provided leadership skills and networking opportunities which are designed to strengthen the organizations the graduates represent.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY WEBSITE

* to note some of that leadership in action, we are indebted to Andrew for designing and maintaining our website; on that site you will read of the following:

-- the BRICK TAVERN MUSEUM (108 N. Catharine St., Montour Falls, NY 14865) -- built in 1828 -- is the oldest brick structure in all of Schuyler County and began as a tavern on a stagecoach route;
-- Historical Society collections include Cook Academy, Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour and Padua yearbooks and other publications, vintage maps & County & Town records, and many Family Genealogies;
-- current exhibits include Victorian furniture & china, paintings & musical instruments, tools of all kinds, clothes, toys and many artifacts of all kinds;
-- recent donations include a 10" by 16" leather-bound book listing the members of the D.W. Washburn Post #515, Grand Army of the Republic, Watkins Glen, NY (Civil War soldiers) given by Frank Luppino from Glenview, Illinois;
-- the Lee School (an 1884 wooden one-room schoolhouse) is furnished as it was in the early 20th Century, containing original desks, early textbooks and other artifacts;
-- geneaology (research room has numerous birth-marriage-death records along with a variety of publications which may be researched)

MEMBERSHIP

Beginning in 2010 -- the 50th year of the Historical Society's existence -- membership will run in the regular calendar year (currently it is May through December). Membership includes FREE and unlimited use of our research materials. Members also receive the publication "The Journal."

An Abbreviated History - The Town of Dix

Town of Dix Historian MARIAN MOREHOUSE BOYCE notes that Dix was formed from Catlin (in Chemung County) on April 17, 1835. As early as 1800 families settled there (Mills and Miller families); in 1810 the Cleveland family arrived; in 1816 the Nichols family came; in 1818 the Hackett, Crout, Haskins, Palmer & Perry families settled there; the Pipers & Hitchcocks arrived in 1820; and in 1823 the Lane, Easting, Frost, Cornell, Bronson, Royce, Crawford & Townsend families arrived; and from 1824-1835 the Bennett, Eddy, Phelps, Lee, Evans, Cole, Rood, Sanford, Gano, Tracey, Lybolt, Hughey & Wedgwood families arrived.

The five major areas in the Town of Dix were Beaver Dams, Moreland, Moreland Station, Townsend and Wedgwood Station.

The Village of Watkins Glen (known as Salubria, Jefferson, Watkins and now Watkins Glen) is largely within the Town of Dix and is the County Seat for Schuyler County.

The Village of Watkins Glen was established by people like John W. Watkins and Dr. Samuel Watkins from New York City and a Mr. Dow from Connecticut.

Known widely for tourism, Watkins Glen is also famous for the Gorge and also as the birthplace of Road Racing (1948) and the home for years of the United States Grand Prix.

MARIAN BOYCE has become a virtual expert on the history of the Town of Dix and remains a very contributing member of our community today. Thank you, Marian.

ROGER E. REINHART remembered...

On Kentucky Derby Day (this past Saturday), a large number of family and friends of ROGER E. REINHART gathered at the Watkins Glen Golf Course to say a final goodbye to a man widely known throughout our County, remembered by so many for his great smile and laugh and his very positive involvement in our community. A veteran of World War II (Europe, Africa, China, Alaska & Cuba), Roger was a radio operator and gunner credited with 50 combat missions on a B-17 in 1943 alone. He also flew on many missions during the Berlin Airlift. He received many decorations, including a Purple Heart and four Battle Stars. From 1954-1987, along with Malcolm Currie, he operated the Watkins Review, Express and Daily News. He was very active in our community as one of the founding members of the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce, was a long-time member of the Rotary, the Moose and Lions, a Director of the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Corp., and the Public Information Director of Schuyler Hospital. Though he may be gone, he will not be forgotten! He remains a great example of the men and women who truly are a major part of the history and tradition that is Schuyler County.

Meet JANE ARMINDA DELANO -- Red Cross Nurse

Taking another look at LOUISE STILLMAN's book, "Schuyler -- Around and About," we find another local hero, who became well known to the world at large.

Jane Arminda Delano was born March 13, 1862 in the Town of Dix in Townsend at the home of her grandfather (The Reverend Daniel Delano, the Baptist Minister). Jane's father George (married to Mary Ann Wright) became a 1st Lieutenant with the Union Army during the Civil War (he died in 1864 in Louisiana from yellow fever.) Mary Ann Delano remarried a few years later to Samuel Thompson (the only father Jane ever really knew).

Jane attended country school and graduated from Cook Academy and became a teacher for a time, then decided she wanted to be a nurse and entered Nursing School at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. In 1888 she answered the call from CLARA BARTON for nurses to go to Florida during an epidemic of yellow fever and was placed n charge on Sands Hill Hospital in Jacksonville. She later established a private hospital at Bisbee, Arizona for a typhoid-ridden mining company. In 1891 she became Superintendent of Nurse's Training at the University of Pennsylvania, then returned to Montour Falls in 1896 to work in private practice and become involved in many charitable works.

However, Jane didn't remain long in Montour Falls as the call to New York City was too great and she returned there as the Head of the House of Refuge on Randall Island (a home for wayward girls). From there she answered the call to become Superintendent of the Bellevue Training School for Nurses, and in 1909 Jane was the first Chair of the National Committee on the Red Cross Nursing Service (a Reserve of the Amry Nurse Corps). She then became Superintendent of the Army Nurse Corps (serving in the Philippines, China, Japan and Hawaii). That was followed by service as Head of the Red Cross Nursing Service.

When World War I began in 1914, Jane directed Red Cross Nurses at home and abroad. She was able to recruit more than 30,000 nurses, with 19,877 assigned to active service (of those, 296 died in service). At the War's end in 1918, while touring Europe to make recommendations for improved services, working incredibly long hours in all kinds of inclement weather, Jane Delano fell ill and died in France on April 15, 1919. She is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. In 1934, the American Red Cross placed a statue beside its headquarters in Washington, D.C. in her honor. Schuyler County honored her by placing a plaque on the steps of the Townsend Grange which reads:
"In memory of Jane A. Delano, Founder of the American Red Cross Nursing, 1909, born in Townsend, March 13, 1862."

Schuyler County's own JANE ARMINDA DELANO was truly an "Angel of Mercy."

(Again, my thanks to LOUISE STILLMAN for bringing this outstanding lady's story to life for us!)

Next month, be surprised by reading of another Schuyler County treasure!

From the Historical Society ...

MONTOUR FALLS, April 8--This is the eighth in a series of monthly contributions from Brian J. O'Donnell pertaining to the Schuyler County Historical Society's activities.

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

"A Proud Past --- A Promising Future!"

(108 N. Catharine Street, Montour Falls, NY 14865; phone: 607-535-9741; www.schuylerhistory.org OR info@schuylerhistory.org)
________________________________________________

* ANDREW E. TOMPKINS: Museum Director
* Board of Trustees:
-- President: NANCY WHIPPLE
-- Vice President: JERRY SMYDER
-- Treasurer: JEAN HUBSCH
-- Secretary: DON RILEY

* The Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 22nd at the Human Services Complex (former Jamesway) on Route 14 in Montour Falls beginning at 7:00 p.m.

* included on the agenda are the following:

-- discussion of the 2008 year's events & achievements;
-- proposed revisions to the Society's Constitution
-- planning for the future
-- presentation by local historian/teacher/author GARY EMERSON on the Magee Family of Watkins Glen. (The Magee family was a very wealthy & influential family connected to the national political scene of the times. They owned railroads and the Fallbrook Coal Company. Their home, the Magee Manor (also known as Glenfield) was built in 1869 and was "state of the art" with running hot water, gas lights and even a bowling alley. The property included horse stables, and a greenhouse. Glenfield was unfortunately demolished in 1960 due to disrepair.)

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK -- April 19-25th

As with any organization, the true lifeblood and heartbeat of the Historical Society is found in the many volunteers who contribute so much of their time and talent to the operation of the Society itself. In addition to a very active Board of Trustees, the following were cited in the Volume 2 Issue 1 April 2009 of the Society's newsletter, The Vista:
- SHIRLEY SHAFFER - JOANN DE LEURY - BARBARA BERGHOFF - GINNY BRUCKNER - NELLIE MUNROE - EDYTH JONES

BOOKS AVAILABLE AT THE MUSEUM...

In the April newsletter, several BOOKS available at the Museum were featured:
-- Schuyler County Days Bygone by: BARBARA H. BELL $24.00
-- The Montour Falls Business District: West Main Street's Proud Past & Hopeful Future by: VIRGINIA STEIL BRUCKNER $20.00
-- Schuyler County New York: History and Families edited by: JOHN POTTER $50.00
-- Seneca Dawn: The Pioneer Journey of John Dow by: FRANK STEBER $15.00
-- A Walk Through Watkins Glen: Water's Sculpture in Stone by: TONY INGRAHAM $23.00

VICTORIAN TEA SCHEDULED

Annual VICTORIAN TEA -- May 9th (two seatings: 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.)
-- price per person is $12.00
-- ages 10 and under are $6.00
-- PLEASE call ahead for reservations
-- groups of 6 or more are asked to pay in advance
-- a variety of teas and light refreshments will be served

FOSSENVUE QUILT on display...

The Fossenvue Quilt -- utilizing a design by CATHERINE PRATT of Montour Falls, and completed by eight women working over a three-year period of time -- is a "memory" quilt honoring Fossenvue, a summer camp located on Seneca Lake just north of Valois, founded in 1875. The quilt is on display in the Museum during this month of April.

Meet DR. CHARLES D. CLAWSON

DR. CHARLES DELAND CLAWSON -- one of the true pioneer doctors in our County -- was born in Lodi on May 17, 1838. (He was the grandfather of the late CHARLES LATTIN). He began the study of medicine under the direction of DR. JAMES FLOOD, a prominent Lodi physician, and in 1858 entered Medical College at the University of Michigan. He received his medical degree in 1861 from the University of Buffalo Medical College and began his first practice in Canoga in Seneca County. In 1862 he married LORETTA L'AMOREAUX of Lodi and he & his wife had eight children -- four of whom survived to adulthood: MRS. JOHN QUIRK (Watkins Glen), MRS. CHARLES LATTIN (Elmira), CARRIE (Montour Falls) and MONROE SCHUYLER (Newark, New Jersey). The heavy demands of a 20-year medical practice took its toll, so DR. CLAWSON decided to open a Sanitarium (whereby patients would come to him rather than he having to travel long distances in all kinds of weather to his patients). DR. CLAWSON purchased what was then known as Cole's Magnetic Springs in Havana (Montour Falls) -- a large structure near Clawson Blvd. and Catharine Street. For the next 40 years DR. CLAWSON and his wife operated a 50-bed hospital and federally-approved Nursing Home. DR. CLAWSON became very active in community affairs:
-- one of the first incorporators of the Elmira & Seneca Lake Railroad
-- Director of the Havana Bridge Works (which later became Shepard Niles Crain & Hoist Company)
-- Trustee for Cook Academy

DR. CLAWSON died at age 79, with his funeral being conducted at his home -- known as "The Brick House" (present site for the Schuyler County Historical Society). During his lifetime DR. CLAWSON invented several types of surgical scissors (today's instruments are little changed from those original designs) and those, plus his trusty medical bag and related papers & books, may be viewed today at the Historical Society's Gray Brick Tavern Museum on N. Catharine Street.
(* Once again, my thanks & appreciation to LOUISE V. STILLMAN for the above information found in her book "Schuyler - Around and About.")

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Next month meet JANE ARMINDA DELANO (1862-1919) famous Red Cross Nurse and "one of the most striking and valuable figures in the entire history of the Red Cross."

From the Historical Society ...

MONTOUR FALLS, March 8--This is the seventh in a series of monthly contributions from Brian J. O'Donnell pertaining to the Schuyler County Historical Society's activities.

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

"A Proud Past --- A Promising Future!"

(108 N. Catharine Street, Montour Falls, NY 14865; phone: 607-535-9741; www.schuylerhistory.org OR info@schuylerhistory.org)
________________________________________________

The Schuyler County Historical Society "Gray Brick Tavern" Museum will reopen on Tuesday, March 31st; hours of operation are:
--Tuesdays through Fridays 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
--Saturday hours Noon - 4:00 (April - September)

Improvements to the Museum over this past winter include:
-- a microfilm viewing machine with rolls of film from local newspapers dated 1870's-early 1900's;
-- reorganized subject filing cabinets, made more user friendly;
-- improved signage for the various exhibits
.............................................................................................

"BACKBONE RIDGE" Documentation Project

"Backbone Ridge History Group: searching for people with records from families who once lived in the "Backbone Ridge" (communities and lands in and around the area now known as the Finger Lakes National Forest in both Seneca & Schuyler Counties).

The group is searching for diaries, photographs, ledgers, family histories, organizational records, bills and anything that can help with understanding the people who once lived on the "Hector Backbone."

"The 'history' of this particular area represents a microcosm of the larger economic, social and political transformations that have taken place in American society since 1900." (Walt Gable, Seneca County Historian wgable@co.seneca.ny.us )

If you have any information and/or historical documents that can help document this important area, please contact Mr. Gable (via e-mail listed above) or our own Executive Director ANDREW TOMPKINS (info@schuylerhistory.org )
..............................................................................................`

"Schuyler County Rural Schools --- Ring, Bells, Ring"
by: MARIAN MOREHOUSE BOYCE,
WGHS Class of 1943 & Member, Board of Trustees, Historical Society...

* Toll House School, Cayuta School, Jackson Hollow School, & Varney Hill School; and many more (with thanks to JOYCE HILL)
* Catharine-Hector, Catharine-Montour & Catharine-Alpine as "joint school districts" plus so many others (with thanks to CAROL FAGNAN)
* Baker Hill, Buck Settlement, Wedgewood, Glen Creek, Price Road, Roloson Hollow, North Beaver Dams & more (thanks to MARIAN)
* Carmen Road, Quaker, Guinea, McIntyre Settlement, Round School House, Smith Valley and more (thanks to DORIS PIKE)
* Lee School, Stone, Mills Road and others (thanks to SHIRLEY CRAVER);
* Cross District, North Reading, Corbett Point, Hall's Corners and more (thanks to BARBARA BELL);
* Switzer Hill, Six Nations, Flat Iron, Goble Hill and others (thanks to JOANNE RANDALL); and
* Parks, Pine Grove, Wayne (2-room), Weston and others (thanks to HAZEL RAPLEE).

The above are just some of the rural one- or two-room school houses in Schuyler County and are reflective of a great deal of research by MARIAN and the various Town & County Historians. You can read more about them and others and learn how these early schools operated by reading MARIAN's article in the "Watkins Glen Central School District -- A History 1853-2008" available now from the WGHS Student Council (call 535-3210 for information -- deadline for orders is March 23rd!) Read about many interesting facts including the following:

-- Bible reading in the classroom;
-- Teacher salaries of $20.00 per week in the longer winter term; $13.00 per week in the shorter summer term;
-- recitation of The Lord's Prayer
-- games played such as "Red Rover," "Ante," "Red Light" and "Fox & Geese"
-- Teachers were also janitors, record-keepers, cooks and nurses for their students
-- no tenure for teachers; hired year to year; "boarding around"; 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. school day & so much more.....
..............................................................................................

SPECIAL THANKS is extended to all who attended the benefit-breakfast at the Montour MOOSE on Sunday, February 15th... we appreciate your support!
...............................................................................................

WATCH for information pertaining to a special Chicken BBQ to be held in April!
................................................................................................

(Again sharing historical information from the pen of LOUISE V. STILLMAN and her highly informative book, "Schuyler -- Around and About," meet.....

GOVERNOR DAVID BENNETT HILL (1843-1910)

* Schuyler County native, born in Havana (now called Montour Falls) on August 29, 1843
* his home still stands -- 115 S. Genesee Street in the Village of Montour Falls
* David was the youngest of five children and was educated in district schools; he also attended the Select School (housed in the current Historical Society's "Gray Brick Tavern" Museum);
* early interest in Law as a profession led him to work for Attorney Marcus Crawford
* moved to Elmira at the age of 20 and continued his study of Law and was admitted to the Bar in 1864 and became very involved in the Democratic Party;
* Member of the NYS Assembly in 1870 (re-elected in 1872) and great friends with Samuel J. Tilden
* elected Mayor of Elmira in 1882 and in September of that same year was elected as Lieutenant Governor of New York State with Grover Cleveland as Governor
* succeeded to unexpired term of Cleveland when he was elected as President of the United States; was elected Governor on his own in 1885 (3 year terms then) and again in 1888;
* elected United States Senator in 1891 and was well known as a Conservative Democrat;
* totally consumed by his political life, Governor Hill never married; he retired to Albany, NY following service in the U.S. Senate and died there on October 26, 1910; his body was returned to Montour Falls and is buried in the Montour Falls Cemetery;
* the epitaph written on his gravestone reads as follows:
"The fault of the brothers we write upon the
sands, their virtues on the tablets of memory."
...............................................................................................

Coming up in April:

* Chicken BBQ information
* Meet DR. CHARLES D. CLAWSON
* Learn more about Schuyler County

From the Historical Society ...

MONTOUR FALLS, Feb. 5 --This is the sixth in a series of monthly contributions from Brian J. O'Donnell pertaining to the Schuyler County Historical Society's activities.

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

"A Proud Past --- A Promising Future!"

(108 N. Catharine Street, Montour Falls, NY 14865; phone: 607-535-9741; www.schuylerhistory.org OR info@schuylerhistory.org)
________________________________________________

* Note: The Historical Society Museum is officially closed until March 2nd (possibly beyond then, depending upon the harshness of this winter season), but anyone wishing to do research and/or purchase any materials may do so by calling Museum Director ANDREW TOMPKINS at 535-9741 to arrange for a mutually-agreeable time.

* 2009 activities/events:

BENEFIT BREAKFAST
* Sunday, February 15th
* 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
* at the Montour Falls MOOSE CLUB
* tickets: $6.00 adults
$3.00 children 12 and under
FREE children age 5 and under
* a 50/50 RAFFLE will also be held.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

(Thank you, LOUISE STILLMAN. In 1994 Mrs. Stillman published "Schuyler--Around and About," a book of selected historically significant articles, many originally published in the Watkins Review & Express. For this month we are again "borrowing" from Louise to introduce you to another of Schuyler County's "founding citizens".....

Meet: THE HONORABLE CHARLES COOK (1800-1866)

* born in Springfield, NY November 20, 1800; his father was a blacksmith who died in the War of 1812, leaving Charles as the sole support for his family;

* at the age of 12 he worked on a farm earning $.12 per day; later on he worked in a country store buying and selling goods;

* Charles moved to Montour Falls (then known as Havana after earlier being named "Mills Landing" after George Mills and then Catharinestown after Queen Catharine Moutour) at the age of 29 after working as a laborer building railroads & canals in New York, New Jersey &
Pennsylvania

* working on the Chemung Canal was what brought him to our area; this Canal connected Seneca Lake to the Chemung River;

* he remained in Havana (Montour Falls) for the next 37 years, becoming involved in every facet of community & civic life;

* he became a builder -- saw mills, flour mills, yeast mills, glass works, iron works, plaster mill, and hotels (one still standing today -- The Montour House);

* he donated the land on which the County Court House (now the present Village Hall) and County Clerk's Office (Argetsinger Law Office) were built. Montour Falls used to be the County Seat -- it was transferred to Watkins Glen after Mr. Cook's death;

* he entered politics and was quite successful as a NY State Senator and as a U.S. Congressman; he held other local offices as well during his lifetime;

* he was highly supportive of education and built the People's College (Cook Academy -- now the NYS Fire Academy);

* he built St. Paul's Episcopal Church, laying the cornerstone on August 22, 1853; he died unexpectedly on a trip to Auburn, NY in 1866 and his remains were brought back on the famous boat "D.S. MAGEE"; he lay in state at the Montour House, had a funeral at St. Paul's Episcopal Church and is buried in St. Paul's Cemetery

* a bust of CHARLES COOK is on display in the Montour Memorial Library.

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STEAMBOAT HISTORY DISPLAY

As a follow-up to Barbara Bell's presentation of "Steamboats on Seneca" given last fall, there is a very entertaining & informational display in a display case in the Watkins Glen High School main lobby near the school auditorium.

The centerpiece of this display is two framed prints donated to the Historical Society by the family of ARTHUR RICHARDS. Additionally you'll find pictures of various steamboats that travelled Seneca Lake from Geneva to Watkins Glen (and all points in-between). Accompanying this display is a good deal of narrative tracing the history of steamboat transportation (people and goods) on Seneca Lake during the 19th Century.

Some of the interesting information includes the following:
* the role steamboats played in transporting soldiers during the Civil War;
* the risks/dangers these boats faced on the very unpredictable waters of Seneca Lake;
* what happened to those steamboats -- worn out after years of positive service (explosions -- some planned as real social events) -- unexpected sinkings, and the use of workable parts from old/worn out boats in some of the newer ones.

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COMING UP IN MARCH:

-- Will we offically open the Museum on March 2nd or will "old-man winter" put that off for awhile?

-- Meet DAVID BENNETT HILL (1843-1910), Lieutenant Governor with Grover Cleveland as Governor, then NYS Governor himself, then U.S. Senator;

-- More nuggets of Schuyler County history...

From the Historical Society ...

This is the fifth in a series of monthly contributions from Brian J. O'Donnell pertaining to the Schuyler County Historical Society's activities.

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

"A Proud Past --- A Promising Future!"

(108 N. Catharine Street, Montour Falls, NY 14865; phone: 607-535-9741; www.schuylerhistory.org OR info@schuylerhistory.org)
________________________________________________

Although the Historical Society is "officially" closed from December 20 to at least March 2nd (possibly a bit longer throughout the month of March if we are experiencing a particularly rough winter season), anyone wishing to do research and/or purchase any books may do so by calling Museum Director ANDREW TOMPKINS at 535-9741 to arrange for a mutually agreeable time frame.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

MISS ABIGAIL O'DANIELS...

.....from the files of Doris Pike (Board Member -- Town of Hector) comes the following interesting information pertaining to MISS ABIGAIL O'DANIELS )...
.....from her Valedictory Address at the Watkins High School (Class of 1911): "To you my classmates I would express the farewell which lies like a pall upon every heart and tongue. The years we have lingered here together have been pleasant indeed, and we are loathe to pass over that invisible barrier which separates us from our Alma Mater. But the future calls us forth and we must depart each to his own work. From this time our paths diverge and we must each face the world alone. To each is left the attainment of his ambitions and in the struggle which follows remember that 'The aim, if reached or not, makes great the life.' Face life with a brave heart and pleasant smile, remembering that your attitude toward the world is the world's attitude toward you, and if you do nothing more than to lighten the load of one of your fellow men, your life will not have been lived in vain. Ever in accordance with the motto we all hold so dear 'aspire to the nobelest' and work untiringly towards the goal you have marked out, never swerving from your course. But the time grows short and ere we pass out into that world we will say once more to our Alma Mater with its teachers and students, 'Fare thee well forever and if still forever, Fare thee well.' "

(* Note: Miss O'Daniels taught piano lessons for many years and served the Presbyterian Church as organist. for more than fifty years. She could be seen riding her bicycle to Church each Sunday dressed in her Sunday best.)

What a wonderful way with words and what a powerful message, true then and true today as well!

...fast forward to the year 2007 and the Valedictory address of MISS MARGARET BALL...

"To my classmates: I believe that experience is the best teacher, so I truly feel no more qualified to make this speech than any of you. Every one of us has known both successes and disappointments. We have all felt joy, confidence, pride, fear, embarassment, anger, sorrow and love. Think about your own experiences: they make your life unique. They are the strongest resource you will ever have. You are now the only person responsible for your choices. Only you can determine how to live your life. Do your best. I know that you are all up to the challenge. The author Wendell Berry said, 'To treat life as less than a miracle is to give up on it.' Life is a miracle that we only have a short time to enjoy...so as it continues, search for the magic in each moment, each star, each sunrise and each smile. Remember to appreciate the small and beautiful things in life and to share your joys with the people you love."

Two Valedictory Addresses almost 100 years apart yet strikingly similar in message and direction beyond high school.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

2009 Activities/Events:

For the New Year of 2009 to help you with your planning,
the Historical Society has planned the following events for the first third of the New Year of 2009:

* February 15th: there will be a fund-raising Breakfast (8:00/11:00 a.m.) at the Montour Falls Moose Club

* April 18th: a Chicken Bar-B-Que is planned; location and time to be announced;

* April 22nd: Annual Meeting; presentation by GARY EMERSON on the Magee Family; 7:00 p.m., at the Schuyler County Human Services Building in the "Silver Spoon Cafe"

* May 9th: annual Victorian Tea at the Brick Tavern Museum with two seatings: 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

As we get closer to each event, more details will be made public.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Long-term Planning: Operations & Growth!

* The Schuyler County Historical Society -- as with all museums, libraries and not-for-profit institutions -- is struggling to meet expenses, maintain facilities and provide on-going services & programs during these most difficult economic times. The Board of Trustees has worked very hard (and continues to do so) to develop & implement a STRATEGIC PLAN with a formal "Mission & Objectives" statement along with specific "Goals & Strategies" to meet both short-term and long-term operation and growth.

One example of that growth is to bring the recently-acquired (offered to the Society by the Town of Dix) WEDGWOOD SCHOOL up to "open-to-the-public/operational status" in 2009. It is our hope that various exhibits illustrating farming implements & tools and much more will be moved to the Wedgwood School during the months ahead so this "history" may be shared with our communities.

While additional discussion and direction will take place in the months ahead, it is anticipated that a formal/large-scale fundraising effort will commence during 2009 in time for the 50th year celebration scheduled in 2010. In conjunction with this campaign we will be looking for state & federal grants, and grants from major foundations as well. We are asking that business and community organizations keep us in mind as they plan for the New Year -- we ask that you watch for our formal "Campaign for Our Future" and consider responding as generously as possible. Specific information pertaining to the Campaign will be made known in the months ahead.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

(Thank you LOUISE VICKIO STILLMAN -- in 1994 Mrs. Stillman published, "Schuyler -- Around and About" -- a book of selected historically significant articles, many originally published in the Watkins Review & Express. One of her many essays was dedicated to "Queen Catharine Montour," and so to paraphrase from that essay.....

Meet Queen Catharine Montour

* Queen of the Indian Village of Sheaquaga, called Catharinestown and destroyed by General Sullivan's army in 1779; the Village consisted of 30-40 log houses built along the hillside south of Montour Falls on both sides of Catharine Creek;

* Queen Catharine was the great-granddaughter of a French Officer named Montour, whose wife was a Huron Indian; her grandmother (Catharine Madam Montour) married an Oneida Chief; her mother Margaret married a Mohawk; Catharine Montour -- born in 1710 -- spoke both English & French and married a Seneca Chief (Telenemut);

* Catharine became Queen on the death of her husband around 1760 and ruled with "power & dignity" and in a fearless but just manner. She made her home in Catharinestown or "Chequegah";

* In 1779 General Sullivan, in his expedition against the Six Nations of the Iroquois, came down the Catharine Creek Valley and burned all the orchards and corn fields and all the Indian cabins and houses. After that, Queen Catharine became an interpreter for the English in disputes with other Indians;

* after the Revolutionary War she continued as an interpreter (for the Americans) and assisted with treaties and boundary disputes; she often accompanied the Chiefs of the Six Nations to Philadelphia (then the Nation's Capital) when treaties were being drawn up and approved;

* early records denote that Queen Catharine died on February 20, 1804 at Catharinestown, with her grave being "east of and a short distance from the Charles Cook monument."

* the name of Queen Catharine Montour has a prominent place in local history and is perpetuated in many ways: the naming of the Towns of Catharine and Montour, the Village of Montour Falls, the Valley where she was once Queen (Catharine Valley) and in the creek that flows through that Valley (Catharine Creek); many buildings and even streets bear her name also.

* Note: Again, my thanks to Louise Vickio Stillman for this valuable information.

From the Historical Society ...

This is the fourth in a series of monthly contributions from Brian J. O'Donnell pertaining to the Schuyler County Historical Society's activities.

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

"A Proud Past --- A Promising Future!"
________________________________________________


This year's Holiday OPEN HOUSE at the Schuyler County Historical Society (108 N. Catharine Street, Montour Falls, NY) will be held on Sunday, December 14th from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

A trimmed tree and light refreshments will greet visitors as two authors will be in attendance to sign their recently released books. Come meet BARBARA BELL & GINNY BRUCKNER!

The festivities are FREE and we hope to see you all there!
...............................................................................................................

WINTER Schedule for Historical Society released...

The Schuyler County Historical Society will be CLOSED from December 20th to at least March 2nd (possibly throughout the month of March if it's a particularly rough winter season). Research may still be conducted at the Museum by calling Museum Director ANDREW TOMPKINS at 535-9741 to arrange for a specific time frame. Mr. Tompkins will be at the Museum working his regular schedule during the period of time the Museum is closed.
.................................................................................................................

Special THANKS for Recent Donations...

LAURA WALLENBACK recently donated genealogies of the AGARD, WOODFORD and HIBBARD families.

The Yates County Historical Society donated two Civil War era letters written by Union Soldier Hiram Denning to his cousin Otis Corbett of Watkins Glen.

CLAYTON RICHARDS (son of new Schuyler County Hall of Fame Member ARTHUR H. RICHARDS) donated a number of framed lithographs including some on Seneca steamboats, a Currier & Ives print of Watkins Glen and a Seneca steamboat line advertisement poster.

.................................................................................................................

THANK YOU, BARBARA BELL

ON Wednesday, November 19th, Schuyler County Historian BARBARA BELL gave a presentation on the steamboats of Seneca Lake. The presentation was well attended (more than
50 people present) and very interesting & educational. Thank you Barbara for all you do for the Historical Society and for our County.

50th ANNIVERSARY & MEMBERSHIP

Throughout the coming year of 2009, plans will be made for the 50th anniversary celebration of the Schuyler County Historical Society in 2010. There is no better time than now to become an
official member of the Historical Society and be a part of this wonderful celebration.

Like so many organizations, membership is the lifeblood for continuing operation and offerings to the public and we sincerely appreciate the generosity & interests of our members, with thanks
for continued support in the years ahead. New members are always welcomed & appreciated also.

Dues paid now are good through December 31, 2009 and bring you the following:
-- subscription to our 16-page Journal and newsletter, "The Vista"
-- FREE usage of the Research Library
-- invitations to special programs & events
-- full VOTING privileges to help shape the Society's future
-- opportunity to help preserve Schuyler County history

Levels of annual Membership are as follow:
1) Individual $20.00 2) Couple $25.00
3) Organization $40.00 4) Business/Patron $50.00
5) Benefactor $100.00 6) Donor $250.00
7) Student (age 18 & under) $5.00

You may stop in the Historical Society to join or mail your dues to Schuyler County Historical Society, P.O. Box 651, Montour Falls, NY 14865. Please include your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address and let us know if you'd like to become actively involved as a volunteer. PLEASE consider inviting a friend, neighbor or other family member to join too!
..................................................................................................................

MEET FREDERICK DAVIS, JR.

Thanks to the wonderful efforts of retired English Teacher (Watkins Glen High School) and noted writer & author FRANK W. STEBER, we know of one of Schuyler County's finest citizens -- FREDERICK DAVIS, JR. In June of 1995 Frank sent me a letter containing a wealth of information about Mr. Davis and his contributions to our County: According to Frank, Mr. Davis came to Watkins Glen in 1857 and "for the next half century was its leading citizen."

Among Mr. Davis' accomplishments were the following:

* opened general store in the Freer Block (now Subway) which he operated for many years;
* built malt house near present Cargill site which he successfully operated for many years; he sold it, and built a new one on present site of Watkins Glen power plant;
* was chiefly responsible for reorganization of St. James Episcopal Church in Watkins Glen, working to build the present Church building and serving as a lay reader for more than 50 years;
* was also responsible for introducing gas lighting in Village of Watkins Glen;
* initiated plans for constructing Village reservoir and a system of running water for use in fire-fighting as well as for use in homes and businesses;
* as a member of the Board of Health he supervised clean-up of alleys behind businesses to eliminate conditions that often led to illnesses and even epidemics;
* served on the Watkins Board of Education for many years, often as President, and was a Charter Member of the Watkins Academy Board;
* served often with Schuyler County Agricultural Society and the Schuyler County Fair committee;
* often hosted visiting dignitaries in his home (today the Elks Lodge);
* helped reorganize the Watkins Library, serving as volunteer librarian during his later years.

The Historical Society does currently have two copies left -- for sale -- of Frank's book "Seneca Sunrise: The Life & Times of Frederick Davis, Jr." (Preston Woods Publishing, 134 pages, 2002) cost: $12.00 per copy.

.....From the Archives

History of Schuyler Schools Re-Visited:

On November 17, 2005 a distinguished panel of historians presented a wealth of information on the educational institutions in Schuyler County. At a two hour + session held in front of a large audience at the Rural Urbal Center, the following spoke:
-- LISA MILLER (a 10-year veteran "home schooling" Mom)
-- CAROL FAGNAN (Town of Catharine Historian)
-- EDWARD COON (involved with old Civilian Conservation Corps
& former teacher in a one-room schoolhouse)
-- WILLIAM & DAVID WICKHAM (brothers from Hector -- former
students in Hector Schoolhouse #126)
-- MARIAN BOYCE (Town of Dix Clerk & Historian)
-- SANDY BRADFORD (Town of Hector Historian talking about the
41 schoolhouses formerly in Hector)
-- BARBARA BELL (Schuyler County Historian)
-- BRIAN J. O'DONNELL (History of the Watkins Glen Central
School District)

From the Historical Society ...

This is the third in a series of monthly contributions from Brian J. O'Donnell pertaining to the Schuyler County Historical Society's activities.

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

"A Proud Past --- A Promising Future!"
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*** UPCOMING EVENTS ***

November 19th: Barbara Bell presentation: "STEAMBOATS ON SENECA"; 7:00 p.m. Human Resources Building, Main Conference Room. The Arthur Richards family, through son Clayton, recently donated some historical articles and pictures on this topic which will be on display that evening.


December 14th: Holiday OPEN HOUSE at the "Gray Brick Tavern Museum (108 N. Catharine Street, Montour Falls)
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The Schuyler County "Hall of Fame" induction ceremony was held on Thursday afternoon, October 23rd at Seneca Lodge. At that ceremony, the three newest honorees were inducted:
-- Arthur H. Richards
-- James T. Wilson
-- Kenneth J. Wilson

Each honoree was presented by a special member of our community, someone who knew the honoree well and had the opportunity to work with him over the years. Those wonderful presenters were:
-- Rick Hughey (for Art Richards)
-- Margaret Cook (for Jim Wilson)
-- The Honorable William N. Ellison (for Ken Wilson)

As many of you already know, the Schuyler County Hall of Fame -- housed in the County Office Building in the 1st floor hallway -- has moved to temporary quarters at the "Gray Brick Tavern Museum" at 108 N. Catharine Street in Montour Falls. Although all Hall of Fame pictures/plaques cannot be displayed at one time, a number will be on display -- on a rotating basis -- so the public may view them. Currently on display are the pictures/plaques of:

-- CAMERON ARGETSINGER
-- DON BRUBAKER, SR.
-- WILLIAM N. ELLISON
-- GILBERT H. HILLERMAN
-- BARBARA BELL
-- STEWART COATS
-- D. LLOYD COTTON

Planning is underway to possibly display additional "Hall of Fame" pictures/plaques in Schuyler County schools and public libraries throughout the next several months.

The Schuyler County Hall of Fame is sponsored by Schuyler County and the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce.

Some insights into ARTHUR H. RICHARDS, one of the newest Hall of Fame honorees:

-- from JIM WHITING
"I thank him for introducing me to New Yorker cartoonist SAM COBEAN, who advised me to go to Art school. Shortly after I met Sam, Art wrote in the Star Gazette, "Striving to gain recognition in the cartooning field, James (Jimmy) Whiting spends a great deal of his spare time drawing in his South Monroe Street garret. Thus far, the struggling artist has discovered that the world of cartooning is a tough nut to crack." I did go to Art school. It would be more than a year before I sold my first cartoon to Vets Magazine in Chicago. So you see, because of ARTHUR H. RICHARDS, before I was even published, I was a 'famous' cartoonist -- at least on South Monroe Street."

Jim goes on to remember: "ARTHUR RICHARDS here." Spoken somberly, with authority, those were the words of numerous radio reports delivered on WGMF in Watkins Glen (by Art). Jim also fondly recalls posing for a group picture (either for a school play or perhaps for a basketball team picture) in what is now the Middle School gymnasium. Art took picture after picture, each of which was followed by his "slinging the spent flash bulb from his camera skittering across the entire length of the gymnasium floor" (there were trash bins available). Jim figured the reason for this was strictly for PR (perpetuating reputation!).

Sandra Richards Goodine (Art's daughter) remembers:
"He didn't want to be called father, or dad, or grandpa, or sir -- he wanted to be called ARTHUR and that's what we all called him, down to the smallest grandchild ... Being Arthur's daughter was fun -- it meant I got to go to a lot of places with him -- I got to know what was going on all over the country -- he taught me about writing and about photography and he taught me to love newspapers and the printed word. The lessons we learned really took -- I have been a writer and a reader all my life and my younger brother Clay graduated from journalism school and has made a career out of his writing, at UPI, Long Island News Day, and now at Quinnipac University. Only my brother Arthur Richards III escaped the family tradition ... distinguishing himself by earning our immediate family's only PhD (in Chemical Engineering) and rising to the top echelons of the New York State Health Department."

Sandra also remembers the "characters" in Arthur's life -- the personalities that paraded through their home and their lives. "The locals: Dutton Peterson, Sr., Dr. Fritz Landsberg & his lovely wife Lisbeth, Bill Kelly (always a constant presence), war hero Jack Hamilton, Frank Richardson, the Fathers from Padua, Lester Smalley, Jim & Bernita Whiting, artist Mary Robinson, Jean & Cam Argetsinger, Mary Cobean & the Brubaker clan, Father Stivers, Nick McKinney and others...and the 'exotics' from out of town: Sam Cobean, New Yorker cartoonist Charles Addams, the Englishman Charles Deans -- who helped start Summer Theatre in Watkins Glen"... and so many more...

Additional memories include "The Schuyler County Gourmet Club with Sheriff Maurice Dean and others; the time he and a group of neighborhood children went searching for a gold mine (Charles Roberts, Frank Basset, Anny Werman, Art III and Sandra, Nancy (Miller) Callahan and anyone else around)..... collecting scrap towards the end of World War II, handing out silver dollars on the dog's birthday, 'dinner on a loaf,' the great stories, 'How the Pussy Willows Came to Watkins Glen," "How the Teddy Bear Got His Pug Nose," "Old Scarhead" (a giant rainbow trout), "The Deer in the Glen" and others... that green polyester leisure suit complete with color-coordinated light green shirt, the huge hat collection, jump suits in red and gold, and his beret... the dark & wavy hair of his youth and the blindingly white hair of old age."

Sandra summed up her thoughts this way, "I loved being Art's daughter. I loved him. And I still miss him, as old as I am. I wonder what he would have thought of Watkins Glen and Schuyler County as it is now. I like to think he would have approved."

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From the Historical Society ...

This is the second in a series of monthly contributions from Brian J. O'Donnell pertaining to the Schuyler County Historical Society's activities.

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

"A Proud Past --- A Promising Future!"
________________________________________________


*** UPCOMING EVENTS ***

November 19th: Barbara Bell presentation: "STEAMBOATS ON SENECA"; 7:00 p.m. Human Resources Building, Main Conference Room.

December 14th: Holiday OPEN HOUSE --- Times to be announced.
_________________________________________________

The Land of the Free and Home of the Brave...

One of the first items you encounter when you come in the front door of the Historical Society is a beautiful display of U.S. Flags in a glass case just to the right of the entrance. In this very patriotic display you'll see:
U.S. Flag 1861-1863 -- a 34-star flag during the presidency of James Buchanan & Abraham Lincoln
U.S. Flag 1863-1865 -- a 35-star flag during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln
U.S. Flag 1877-1890 -- a 38-star flag flown during the presidencies of President Rutherford B. Hayes to William McKinley
U.S. Flag 1891-1896 --- a 44-star flag
U.S. Flag 1912-1959 -- a 48-star flag flown during the presidencies of William Howard Taft through Dwight D. Eisenhower
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"Nothing Really Has Value Unless It Is Shared..."

One of the wonderful features about history is that even though we may not have lived it, we are fortunate that we can purchase it (thanks to the hard work and efforts of those who wrote it down for us). A number of very informative and interesting books and pamphlets are available for sale at the Historical Society. Among them are the following:

"Diaries of Truman G. Beecher 1862-1887" edited by Patricia J. Beecher (432 pages; first published in 2003). In the editor's own words:
"Nothing really has value unless it is shared, and certainly this intimate picture of a rural community of the 1800's is meant to be read and re-read."
Mr. Beecher was actively involved in the founding and early growth of Beaver Dams. (Cost: $10.00)

For others interested in a more novel look at American History there is "The Ballad of Bertie: From His Journal" by Barbara Bell, first published in 1966. You'll enjoy meeting 12-year-old Bertie Caldwell and his family who move from Burdett to Kansas in 1880 to obtain land under the Homestead Act. His diary was written at a time when folklore was enjoying a revival. (Cost: $3.00)

Local author Frank W. Steber, retired English teacher at the Watkins Glen High School and writer of the highly popular "Seneca Spectator" series, offers a couple of outstanding books:
"Seneca Sunrise: The Life & Times of Frederick Davis, Jr." (134 pages, published in 2002, cost: $12.00) and "Seneca Dawn: The Pioneer Journey of John Dow"
(published in 2007 cost: $12.00)

Another fairly new offering --- which will become a local favorite --- is "The Montour Falls Business District: West Main Street's Proud Past and Hopeful Future" by Virginia Steil Bruckner. This book (172 pages, published in 2008, cost: $20.00), dedicated in memory of NANCY L. MUSSER who had the idea for it, is an outstanding account in words and pictures of Main Street businesses and residences.

Numerous other books (many of which I will highlight in future columns) are available for sale and include the following:
"A Link in the Great Chain: A History of the Chemung
Canal,"
by Gary Emerson (cost: $12.00)
"Boyhood Memories of Bolton Brown by Bolton Coit
Brown 1864-1936"
by: Marian S. Sweeney (cost: $5.00)
"Letters to Suzanna: The First Twenty Years" by
Barbara Bell (cost: $20.00)
"Town of Catharine History" by Carol Tetz Fagnan
(cost: $40.00)
... and many, many more.

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Meet the Board of Trustees for the Schuyler County Historical Society...

President Nancy Whipple; Vice President Jerry Smyder; Treasurer Jean Hubsch; Secretary
Don Riley

Legislative Representative Doris Karius, Past-President Thomas Viglione

Board Members:
Barbara Bell -- County Historian
Jane Marshall -- Town of Catharine
Bonnie Schweizer -- Town off Cayuta
Marian M. Boyce -- Town of Dix
Doris Pike -- Town of Hector
Shirley Craver -- Town of Montour
Robert Everett -- Town of Reading

Nancy Whipple represents the Town of Orange and
Jean Hubsch represents the Town of Tyrone

Andrew E. Tompkins is Museum Director, Shirley Shaffer is Museum Aide, and Glenda Gephart is Journal Editor.

The facilities of the Schuyler County Historical Society include the Gray Brick Tavern Museum (108 North Catharine Street, Montour Falls), the Lee School House and the Wedgwood Schoolhouse.

The history of the Historical Society dates back to 1960, when it was formed as a non-profit public-service organization by a group of 32 local residents, led by Charles Harrington, who were interested in preserving the history and legacy of Schuyler County. A vast wealth of information is available to the public.

From the Historical Society ...

This is the first in a series of monthly contributions from Brian J. O'Donnell pertaining to the Schuyler County Historical Society's activities.

By: Brian J. O'Donnell

"A Proud Past --- A Promising Future!"

This is the first in what will be a continuing series to highlight the richness and diversity of resources which comprise the Schuyler County Historical Society, dedicated to collecting and prerserving and sharing the resources which contribute to who we are today!

In this first column, I want to present two informational current events of interest and the connection one of these events has to a well-known and talented artist of our past named Ellen Parker.

* First of all, since the County building is undergoing extensive renovation, the Schuyler County Hall of Fame has set up "temporary" quarters in the Schuyler County Historical Society (108 N. Catherine St., Montour Falls, NY 14865); for the next several months the plaques of the members of the Hall of Fame will be featured on the wall of the stairway between the first and second floor of the building. Dating back to 1995, there are currently 32 individuals honored in the Hall of Fame, with three more to be enshrined this October; plaques will be displayed (7-10 at a time) and rotated every few months so all are able to be on display; the plaques will be on display soon -- a follow-up article will note which plaques are on display;

* A wonderful watercolor titled "Hibiscus" -- by Ellen Parker -- is currently on display at the Historical Society and available for "bid" until awarded to the high bidder on October 18th; please stop into the Society to view the beautiful painting and make your bid; many people in our area communities have and treasure watercolors by Miss Parker, and "Hibiscus" would be a wonderful addition to anyone's home.

* Meet ELLEN PARKER...

Miss Parker was born October 30, 1896 in Franklinville, N.Y. She attended school in Franklinville and graduated in 1913 from Ten Broeck Academy with a "Classical" diploma. She then successfully completed Training Class in 1914-1915 in Delevan, NY and Normal School at Buffalo State in 1918-1919, teaching both before and after Buffalo State in Franklinville for a total of 8 years.

Always a believer in higher education, Miss Parker attended Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois (1924-1925) and Syracuse University (summers from 1926-1934). She received her B.S. degree from Syracuse University in 1934.

Ellen Parker came to Watkins Glen as an Art Teacher in 1926 for the annual salary of $1,300 She remained in the Watkins Glen District until the 1950s, completing a more than 35-year career in public education. Never married, she was devoted to her teaching and artistic endeavors, creating literally hundreds of beautiful watercolors (many of which are displayed in local homes today). Coming from a large family, she had many nieces and nephews whom she cherished and visited with often.

Rosanne Doane, Deputy Treasurer for the Watkins Glen School District, remembers growing up as a young girl living next door to Miss Parker. She fondly recalled how Miss Parker "adopted" her and her siblings and brought a love of education and the Arts to them, too. Rosanne has a "Parker" adorning her wall in her high school office. Rosanne also told me that Miss Parker was working late in the old High School (current Middle School in Watkins Glen) on the night of the horrific fire which burned the structure to the ground. The janitor came to her classroom to tell her she must leave the premises immediately as a fire had broken out elsewhere in the building. When Miss Parker balked a bit, wanting to get all of her paintings and supplies out too, the janitor insisted she leave without them as the fire was out of control and spreading quickly. They got out, but the facility was lost to the fire in a matter of hours.

Many local residents fondly remember Miss Parker as their Art Teacher. She was not one to tolerate any nonsense/misbehavior nor lack of talent in her classroom, and she did work hard to bring out the very best in everyone.

Photo in text: The Schuyler County Historical Society Museum in Montour Falls.

 

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Charles Haeffner
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