The official records of the centennial celebration, Bath, Steuben County, New York, June 4, 6, and 7, 1893 online

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Charles Williamson.



1793. 1893.

THE

Official Records

OF THE

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Bath, Steuben County,

NEW YORK,

JUNE 4, 6 AND 7, 1893.



NORA HULL, EDITOR.



Authorized by the General Committee,



(S v^Z> -PRESS OF THE COURIER COMPANY (LIMITED).- <2Z>^



PREFACE.



The Official Records of the Centennial Celebration of Bath, after some
unavoidable delays, are now given to the public.

This book does not purport to be a complete history of Bath during
the first century of its existence, but merely a contribution of much valu-
able material toward that history when it shall be written. The papers
were prepared by many individuals who wrote without reference to each
other, or without any pre-arranged plan.

Consequently, it happens that some of the pioneers, who were fore-
most in building up the town, have been passed over with scant mention,
each writer presumably supposing that some other would be sure to select
such prominent charactei-s for delineation. This has been especially no-
ticeable in the cases of Dugald Cameron, of the McClures and of Henry
A. Townsend. These men passed away so early in the century that their
fame is a tradition, even to the members of the older generation now
among us.

That the Book is an accomplished fact is due to the Eev. Benjamin S.
Sanderson, through whose persistence in the meetings of the General
Committee, it was finally decided upon, and whose advice and assistance
have been extended at every stage of its preparation for the press. The
material as selected by Mr. Sanderson, the representative of the Gen-
eral Committee, has been published substantially as it was delivered, with
the exception of a few sentences too personal for permanent preservation.

The work of the editor has been, mainly, to arrange that the papers
should be put in fit typographical form.

The frontispiece is a semitone, prepared from a photograph of the por-
trait of Colonel Charles Williamson, presented to Bath by his grandson,
David Robertson Williamson, of Scotland, (vide p. 236).

The plate of the map of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase was fur-
nished, at the request of Hon. A. J. McCall, by Howard L. Osgood, Esq. ,
Secretary of the Rochester Historical Society.



CONTENTS.



PAGE.

Preface 3

Introduction 9

Rev. Benjamin S. Sanderson.

PART ONE.
Historical Discourses—

Presbyterian Church {Rev. M. N. Preston) 19

Episcopal Church {Rev. B. S. Sanderson) 28

Methodist Church {Rev. M. C. Dean) 38

Baptist Church {Rev. V. P. Mather) 47

Roman Catholic Church {Rev. J. J. Gleason) 51

A. M. E. Zion Church {Rev. B. W. Swain) 58

Casino Address {Prof. L. D. Miller) 64

PART TWO.

Address of "Welcome 73

Reuben E. Robie, Esq.

Centennial Poem 75

Prof. Zenas L. Parker.

Charles Williamson 96

James McCall, Esq.

Historical Address 107

Hon. Ansel J. McCall.

PART THREE.
Reminiscences—

Mr. William Howell 141

Hon. Justin R. Whiting 151

Hon. Irvin W. Near 154

Rev. L. M. Miller, D. D 167

Clarh Bell Esq 175

Mr. E. H. Butler 193



PAGE.

The Schools of Bath 194

Charles F. Kingsley, Esq.

The Medical Profession 201

Ira P. Smith, M. D.

The Military History of Bath 210

Major John Stocum.

The Bench and Bar 216

Hon. Charles H. McMaster.

The Local Press 229

Mr. George B. Richardson.

PART FOUR.

Our Pioneers— (Song) 235

Oen. William W. Aver ell.

The Williamson Memorial 236

The Centennial Oration , 241

Hon. Sherman S. Rogers.
Change of Name 256

PART FIVE.

Appendix A (Round Robin, with Signatures) 259

Appendix B (Correspondence) 261

Appendix C (Business Directory, etc.) 276



Introduction,



INTRODUCTION,

A brief account of the events leading up to tlie glorious Celebration of
June 4, 6 and 7, 1893, would appear to form a fitting introduction to the
pages which follow.

Rome was not built in a day. Not even the proverbial smartness of
the citizens of our village could put through, without preparation, the
elaborate Celebration this volume describes. It was the patient labor of a
few ; the elaborate, careful and painstaking arrangements of the General
Committee, which made the Centennial of Bath the magnificent success it
was conceded by all to be. Honor to whom honor is due.

In a speech delivered before tlie local Board of Trade, at its annual din-
ner (April 6, 1891), Mr. Anthony L. Underbill made the first pubUc appeal
to the citizens for a becoming recognition of this important event in the
history of the village. The seed thus sown was soon to bear fruit. Not
many months after, the following Round Robin, numerously signed by
leading citizens, under the inspiration of Gen. William W. Averell, was
sent to Hon. Ansel J. McCall :

Hon. A. J. McCall :

Dear Sir : Your fellow-citizens, undersigned, are desirous that there
shall be a fitting celebration of the first Centennial anniversary of the set-
tlement of our village of Bath in 1793, and of your County of Steuben in
1796. We are sensible that a proper celebration of these events cannot be
f uUy and intelligently realized without a co-incident publication of graphic
annals of our town and county from the earliest times. It is, therefore, our
earnest desire to have available to our people on those occasions such a
sketch of our social birth and history, in convenient form, from the earli-
est pioneer days to the present time, in order that valued memories may
not be lost, but cherished and perpetuated. Happily for our aspirations,
your long and worthy life has brought from the early years of the century
rich memories and priceless materials which enable you, better than any
other man living, to tell the story of the first hundred years of Bath and of
Steuben county.

We earnestly request that you will kindly gratify your neighbors and
friends, the people of Steuben, by tlie preparation of such a history. We
will attend to its publication, under your permission and direction.

Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y., Aug. 1, 1892.



10 THE CENTENNIAL OF BATH.

This invitation was accepted by Judge McCall.

Notliing more than tliis historical Monograph was at first contem-
plated. But other minds were at work, aiming at a public celebration of
the one hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the village. From
them emanated the following call :

IMPORTANT MEETING OF CITIZENS.

A meeting of the citizens of Bath is called for this (Friday) evening,
at the Court House, at 8 o'clock, to consider the propriety of properly ob-
serving the Centennial of the first settlement of the town.

Per Order Committee.

That Friday evening (.January 13) was cold and blustering, piomising
fully to test the interest of all attending the meeting. The writer well
remembers sitting in the Sheriff's office, with two or three others, wonder-
ing whether any of the good people of Bath were sufficiently enthusiastic
to brave the elements in response to the call. At 9 o'clock there were about
twenty present, who energetically took hold of the business in hand, as
the subjoined official minutes testify :

" In response to a call published last week, a meeting was held at the
Court House, last Friday evening, to consider the advisabihty of celebrating
the Centennial anniversary of the first settlement of the town of Bath.
General W. W. Averell was chosen Chairman of the meeting, and James
R. Kingsley, Secretary. It was decided to celebrate the anniversary, and
the following Committee was appointed to decide the character of the exer-
cises and the time and place of holding them : Gen. W. W. Averell, W.
W. Allen, R. E. Robie, A. J. McCall. H. W. Bowes, J. F. Little, O. H.
Smith, Abram Beekraan, W. E. Howell, J. F. Parkhurst, R. R. Lyon,
James R. Kingsley, Rev. M. N. Preston, Rev. B. S. Sanderson, Rev, M. C.
Dean, Rev. V. P. Mather, Rev, J. J. Gleason, Rev. B. W. Swain. Gen.
Averell is Chairman of the Committee, and James R. Kingsley, Secretary.
The plans of the Committee will be submitted to a meeting of citizens to
be held not later than February 10."

With the to-be-expected set-backs, tlie preparations for a becoming
celebration progressed favorably. The preliminary plans were endorsed at
a public meeting of citizens held in the Court House, February 10, with a
large and representative attendance. June 14 was fixed upon as Centen-
nial Day. The official program was arranged as follows, power being
given to the General Committee to alter it as they deemed wise :

Sunrise Salute.

9 to 10 A. M.— Parade of School Children of the Town, and Addresses to
Them.



INTRODUCTION. 11

11 A. M. — Address of Welcome, Historical Address, and Oration.

Recess.

2 p. M. — Parade of Fire Department, Civic Societies and General Trades
Display.

Evening— Old Time Reception at the Casino.

The General Committee was thus constituted : General W. W. Averell,
Reuben E. Robie, Henry W. Bov^'es, W. H. Nichols, J. F, Parkhurst, Rev.
M. N. Preston, Rev. B. S. Sanderson, Rev. M. C. Dean, Rev, V. P. Mather,
Rev. J. J. Gleason, Rev. B. W. Swain.

Believing in a division of labor, various sub-committees were appointed
to carry out the details of arrangements, as follows :

Invitations — A. J. McCall.

Reception of Guests — James R. Kingsley.f

Entertainment — Abram Beekman.

Literary Exercises — John F. Little.

Finance — Reuben R. Lyon.

Decorating Village — John M. Farr.^

Schools — Clarence Wilhs.

Procession and Bands — William H. Hallock.

Evening Reception — Augustus de Peyster.

Publication and Printing — John Underbill.

Through the courtesy of the managers of the Steuben Club, its hand-
some parlors were put at the disposal of the Committee, and there every
Friday evening the members could be foimd planning for the coming Cele-
bration. Early in their deliberations, modifications of the original plan
were deemed advisable. The unavoidable resignation of James R. Kings-
ley, as Secretary, resulted in the selection of Reuben R. Lyon, Esq., for
that responsible post. It was a most fortunate choice. Zealous and ardent
in the undertaking, doing the work of many men, at times to the neglect
of his own private business, to Mr. Lyon every member of the General
Committee concedes all the credit and praise for the happy outcome of our
Centennial. Palmam qui meruit, ferat.

The date and method of celebration were altered, a new program
being arranged, which was substantially carried out at the appointed time.
It may as well be inserted here as anywhere as a matter of record :

f Augustus de Peyster, vice J. R. Kingsley, resigned.
X John McNamara, vice J. M. Farr, resigned.



13 THE CENTENNIAL OF BATH,

SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 1893.

1. Appropriate Religious Services and Historical Sermons in the Local
Churches, at 10:30 A. M.

2. Union Religious Service, with Address by Prof. Levi D. Miller,
L.L. D., in the Casino, at 7:30 p. m.



TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1893.

IN THE CASINO, AT 2:00 P. M.

1. Prayer, Rev. L. M. Miller, D. D., of Ogdensburgh, N. Y.

2. Address of Welcome, by President of Day, Reuben E. Robie, Esq.

3. Poem, Prof. Zenas L. Parker.

4. Captain Charles Williamson; a Sketch, James McCall, Esq.

5. History of Bath for Fifty Years, Hon. Ansel J. McCall.

IN THE CASINO, AT 7:30 P. M.

1. Prayer.

2. Reminiscences —

Mr. Wm. E. Howell, of Antrim, Pa.

Hon. J. R. Whiting, of Eau Claire, Wis.

Rev. L. M. Miller, D.D., of Ogdensburgh, N. Y.

Hon. I. W. Near, of Hornellsville, N. Y.

Mr. Edward H. Butler, of Buffalo, N. Y. (A Letter.)

Hon. Clark Bell, of New York City.

3. * Schools, Chas. F. Kingsley, Esq.

4. * Physicians, Dr. Ira P. Smith.

5. * Lawyers, Hon. Chas. H. McMaster.

6. * Editors, Mr. Geo. B. Richardson.

7. * Soldiers, Major John Stocum.



WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1893.

6:30 A. M. Sunrise Salute of Cannon and Bells.

10:00 A. M. Parade of all the Schools of the Town (directed by
Clarence Willis, Esq.), to the Fair Grounds. [About 1000 children, headed
by five bands of music, participated in this novel and interesting event.]

ON THE FAIR GROUNDS, 10:30 A. M.

1. Prayer by Chaplain, Rev. M. N. Preston.

* The above papers had been prepared with reference to this occasion,
but time did not permit of their being read.



INTRODUCTION. 13

2. Letters of Regret, read by the Secretary, R. R. Lyon, Esq.

3. Address and Presentation of Portrait of Capt. Chas. Williamson,
James McCall, Esq.

4. Acceptance on behalf of Trustees, Byron L. Smith, Esq.

5. Oration, Hon. Sherman S. Rogers, Buffalo, N. Y.

6. Change of Name of Lake Salubria to Lake Williamson.

7. Benediction.

[The program was interspersed by many appropriate and patriotic songs
excellently rendered by the school children, under the direction of Miss
May Cowley.]

2:00 p. M. Parade of Fire Department, Civic Societies and General
Trades Display; Capt. W. W. Lindsay, Marshal; Messrs. L. H. Balcom,
Hoxie W. Smith, Wm. J. H. Richardson and S. J. Wilkes, Aides.

8:00 p. M. Old Time Reception at the Casino.

[The following list shows the formation, the companies and the floats
in the line of the parade :

Capt. W. W. Lindsay, Marshal.

Soldiers' & Sailors' Home Band, sixteen men.

Custer Post, G. A. R., eighty men.

General Barry Post, G. A. R., No. 248, seventy-five men.

Keeley Club of the Soldiers' & Sailors' Home, seventy men.

L. H. Balcom, Assistant Marshal.

Hammondsport Cornet Band, sixteen men.

Royal Arcanum, Chapter No. 344, of Bath, forty men.

Knights of the Maccabees, No. 71, of Bath, forty men.

Boys' Society, "Character Builders of St. Thomas church," forty-two
in line, led by Rev. B. S. Sanderson.

Wm. J. H. Richardson, Assistant Marshal.

Prattsburgh Cornet Band, fourteen men.

Bath Fire Department, Chief Mc Namara, First Assistant Cotton, Second
Assistant Parker.

Rescue Hook and Ladder Company, twenty-six men, Foreman A. L.
Lilley.

Hook and Ladder truck gaily decorated and carrying a log hut with
Indians, representing 1793 at one end, while at the other end was a boat
containing four little girls representative of the year 1898,

Samuel E. Wilkes, Assistant Marshal,

Cohocton Cornet Band, twenty men.

Edwin Cook Hose Company, twenty-eight men, Foreman John Donahe.

Hose Company's cart completely covered with flowers, and two little
children riding on top dressed in Continental costume.

Hacks containing Mayor Gould, Trustees Smith, Phillips, Aber and
Sutton, City Attorney Waldo and Clerk Shannon.



14 THE CENTENNIAL OP BATH.

Hoxie W. Smith, Assistant Marshal.



Steuben County Vineyard Association, mammoth wine cask.

A. Beekman, sash and blind factory, workmen making window sash.

T. H. Appleby's Collar Factoiy, workmen stuffing collars and making
harness.

Gould & Nowlen, plumbers, men soldering handles to tin cups.

Wylie's Book Store, "History of Bath;" tall as a man, thick as a
telegraph pole.

E. Berkman's Bottling Works, three floats, workmen bottling beer and
corking.

Gregson, Dolsen & Smith, shoe factory, rack of shoes and workmen.

John McNamara, hardware, a McCormick harvester and binder.

S. L. Holcomb, cigar factory, men making cigars, which were thrown
out to the crowd.

Ferine & Davison, dry goods, etc., deUvery wagon, decorated.

Flynn & Co., groceries, delivery wagon, decorated.

A. Rich, clothier, men making coats.

Fred Moris, harness factory, 116 in line; float, men making harness.

Plaindealer, float. Black Bath in 1840.

H. M. Jewell's Bottling Works, delivery wagon loaded with beer kegs.

Martin Collins, blacksmith, making horse shoes.

P. P. Tharp, clothier, advertising wagon, decorated.

D, W. Raysor, cigar factory, men making cigars and tossing them to
the crowd.

S. G. Lewis, groceries, delivery wagon, decorated.

Charles S. Allison, tailor, miniature tailor shop.

The Banks — First National, Hallock's, and Farmers' & Mechanics', two



S. W. Wood, groceries, delivery wagon, decorated.

C. A. Ellas, druggist, delivery wagon, decorated.

Rothschild & Loeb, Globe Clothing House, delivery wagon, decorated.

Ed Sliney, groceries, delivery wagon, decorated.

J. Stocvun & Son, furniture, wagon with furniture.

S. M. Hewlett & Co. . furniture, wagon with furniture.

Stansbury & Leavenworth, sewing machines, wagon with machines.

T. P. Purdy, painter, wagon, decorated.

Bath Canton, No. 41, I. O. O. F., twenty men, followed by the Jemima
Wilkinson carriage, 105 years old, driven by Lewis D. Fay ; the old Mansion
House 'bus ; a coupe nearly as ancient, and citizens in carriages.

M. Bowes & Co., coal and agricultm-al implements, a Studebaker
wagon gaily decorated.



INTRODUCTION. 15

Aber Bros., groceries, delivery wagon, decorated.
Daniels & Carroll, groceries, delivery wagon, decorated.
James Faucett, produce, and agricultural implements, a Johnston
reaper.

Geo. W, Peck, hardware, an Osborne reaper.]

In their preparations the Committee were rendered most valued
assistance by the Ladies' Committee, made up of the following:

Executive Committee — Mrs. James Lyon, Chairman; Mrs. Ansel J-
McCall, Mrs. Wm. Rumsey, Mrs. George W. Hallock,Mrs. J. F. Parkhurst,
Mrs. B. F. Young, Mrs. M. Rumsey Miller, Mrs. Augustus dePeyster, Mrs.
John Davenport, Mrs. W. W, Averell ; Miss Jeannette M. Hodgman, Sec'y.

Invitations — Mrs. Thomas J. Whiting.

Reception and Care of Guests — Mrs. William H. Nichols.

Entertainment, Seats and Grounds — Miss Katharine Bowes.

Literary Exercises — Miss Mamie McBeath.

Finance — Mrs. Charles F. Kingsley.

Decoration of Village and Grounds — Mrs. Abram Beekman.

Schools — Miss Anna Freeman.

Procession and Bands — Mrs. Alfred Case.

Evening Reception — The Executive Committee.

Publication and Printing. — Miss Cassie W. Hull.

Confining themselves mostly to the very important department of
finance, the ladies arranged for a Loan Exhibition. As the result of their
labors, a most varied and valuable collection of curios and relics were ex-
hibited in the Casino on April 25 and 26. After paying all expenses about
$140 were put in the hands of the General Committee. The ladies also very
effectively assisted in preparing for the Old Time Reception.

To Mrs. James Lyon, the head of the Executive Committee, belongs a
very large share of the credit due to the ladies for their work.

One of the most substantial aids in the way of money was contributed
by Miss May Cowley, who organized, drilled and presented the operetta of
"Trial by Jury," on the evening of May 17, turning over the entire pro-
ceeds (over $200) to the committee. In fact this, with another donation from
some of the business men, defraying the expenses of all the bands, made it
unnecessary for the committee to ask for general subscriptions. It is
doubtful whether anywhere the hardest problem — the financial — was ever
easier solved than during the Centennial of Bath.

What was said during those eventful days the rest of this book records.
What was done every Bathite and thousands of strangers well remember.
For who that saw them can soon forget the happenings of those memorable



16 THE CENTENNIAL OF BATH.

days. Every sort of building within the corporation limits had some sort
of holiday token upon it. Flags and bunting were everywhere.
Enthusiasm was unstinted. Former residents renewed acquaintance with
their home of earlier days and did their part in the general rejoicing.
With ideal weather and under most favoring circumstances, the long ex-
pected Celebration was gone through with and the fondest hopes of those
who had it in charge were more than realized. How it appeared to others
than the committee, this, from one of the local papers, may indicate :

' ' The Bath Jubilee Celebration was a hummer in every respect. Tues-
day and Wednesday, June 6 and 7, the days appointed on which to com-
memorate the energy and chivalry of Capt. Charles Williamson, who set-
tled the village 100 years ago, will fonn bright spots in the memories of
young and old who witnessed the festivities, until memory is a blank.
Tuesday, Nature was in a doubtful mood, but it was only to make herself
more dazzling for the morrow, when "Old Sol" beat his brightest rays upon
roof and steeple and people. The South Hill wore its best dress, and shone
resplendent in green and purple hues, the bright waters of the Conhocton
running at its base, once the carrier of forest wealth in arks and rafts to
the Susquehanna, gleamed and shimmered as in the brave days of old ;
Lake Salubria's "fine azure dimples curled its sparkling seas ;" the business
portion of the village was gay with flags and bunting in every variety of
decoration ; the private residences were in holiday attire ; Pulteney Park
never looked in finer form ; and all tho people, Bath's sons and daughters,
and all their friends and relations, paid fitting homage to the scene of
beauty which met the eye in every direction.

"From the Golden Gate of the Pacific, from the distant Rockies, from
the mines of the South, and from the land of the midnight sun, her chil-
dren came by the hundreds to sit once more at the old hearthstone ; to
renew old acquaintance ; to tell a story or two, and to laugh at the visions
of the past.

' ' The Committee having in charge the formal exercises which were to
crown the Celebration and tell the story of Bath from the beginning,
brought an almost formidable program to a most happy conclusion without
a serious flaw or hitch."

When our descendants of a hundred years from now start out to cele-
brate the two hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the town, they
will find themselves considerably handicapped, if they endeavor to out-
strip the Bathites of 1893.

BENJAMIN S. SANDEESON.



PART ONE,

Historical Sermons.



PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,

Sermon by Rev. M. N. Preston.



SUHDAY, MAY 28. 1893.



Text : — " Remember the days of old, consider the years of many genera-
tions, ask thy father and he will shoio thee ; thy elders and they will tell
thee, for the Lord's portion is his people.''' — Deut. xxxviii, 7, 9.

It is scriptural, as well as wise, for any people occasionally to review
the past. All honor should be given to the pioneers who have endured the
hardships necessary to opening and settling a new country. All honor to
those who laid the foundations on which have been builded in a century
the goodly structure of civilization which we are now enjoying ; and those
worthy men will receive the honor that is their due in the Centennial
exercises of which this discourse is the opening.

We are to consider this morning " The Lord's portion which is his peo-
ple," as the text tells us. They, too, laid foundations, even the church of
the Lord Jesus Christ, a structure which, though all men build upon it
through all ages, will be only completed in Heaven when " The headstone
shall be brought, forth with shoutings, crying Grace, Grace unto it." All
honor to those Godly men and women who laid foundations on which men
could build for eternity as well as time. The records of the progress of
civilization in all its departments, of population, education, of the law and
medicine, of manufacture and of trades in this town for a century will be
compiled and will be highly prized by generations yet to come ; but the
records which will stand the longest, of work which will give the greatest
satisfaction and bring the greatest reward, will be the faith, the prayer,
the devotion and the good works which were inspired through the church
of Jesus Christ ; they are recorded in heaven and the record will be read
in eternity.

It is interesting to note in the latest history of Steuben county (pub-
lished in 1891), in the chronological list of the fifty-five most important



30 THE CENTENNIAL OF BATH.

events occurring in Bath, the very first one mentioned is, " 1806, The
Presbyterian Society was organized," and the second one, " 1808, Rev.
John Niles was installed the first minister." These two lead the list.

The first preaching services held in this village of which we have any
knowledge were conducted by Rev. Seth WilUston, a traveling missionary,
about 1803. They were held in the old school house, situated on the lot