initial commit of ebook 16195HEADmain

5 files changed, 2153 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/16195.txt b/16195.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4a50583
--- /dev/null
+++ b/16195.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,2137 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, A Sketch of the History of Oneonta, by Dudley
+M. Campbell
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: A Sketch of the History of Oneonta
+
+
+Author: Dudley M. Campbell
+
+
+
+Release Date: July 3, 2005  [eBook #16195]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF
+ONEONTA***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Linda Cantoni and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+A SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF ONEONTA
+
+by
+
+DUDLEY M. CAMPBELL.
+
+Oneonta, N.Y.:
+Herald and Democrat Press
+
+1883
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+   HENRY SAUNDERS
+
+   Bookseller AND Stationer,
+
+   Oneonta, N.Y.
+
+   _Miscellaneous, School and Blank Books, Family and Pocket Bibles,
+   Photograph Albums, Scrap Books, Pocket Books, Gold Pens, &c._
+
+   FINE WALL PAPERS
+
+   AND CEILING DECORATIONS
+
+   ALWAYS ON HAND
+
+
+   CHRISTMAS,            VALENTINE,
+                Cards
+   NEW YEAR,             EASTER,
+
+   IN THEIR SEASON.
+
+   Stationery and Stationery Articles of all Kinds.
+
+   _GOOD GOODS! LOW PRICES!_
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+   MORRIS BROTHERS,
+
+   WHOLESALE
+
+   FLOUR
+
+   GRAIN
+
+   AND SEEDS.
+
+   CHESTNUT STREET,
+
+   ONEONTA, N.Y.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+   Mendel Brothers,
+
+   MAIN STREET,
+
+   Oneonta, N.Y.
+
+   DRY GOODS,
+
+   _Ready-Made Clothing_,
+
+   FURNISHING GOODS,
+
+   TRUNKS, TRAVELING BAGS, HATS, CAPS,
+
+   OIL CLOTHS, CARPETS, Etc.
+
+
+   _THE LONGEST ESTABLISHED MERCANTILE HOUSE IN TOWN._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+
+A SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF ONEONTA
+
+by
+
+DUDLEY M. CAMPBELL
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Preface.
+
+
+In the preparation of the following pages, I have not attempted to
+give a complete history of the town of Oneonta. My main object has
+been to put into a more preservative form some of the facts that have
+been derived from the recollection of the older inhabitants as well as
+from family papers, which, in the lapse of time, would be forgotten
+and lost to the public. This is not so much a history as it is a
+sketch of history, but it may be made a beginning of a more
+pretentious historical work. I have endeavored to make it trustworthy,
+and in my efforts in this direction, I have not relied upon any
+information pretended to be conveyed in the recently published large
+"History of Otsego County," which is better known as a voluminous
+compilation of gross inaccuracies in which are transmitted to future
+times the names of the good and bad, equally bespattered with praise.
+
+If the names of any of the older settlers have not received deserved
+mention, the omission is due to the fact that their representatives or
+those having information to give, have withheld or neglected to
+furnish facts which they alone could furnish.
+
+D.M.C.
+
+ONEONTA, _April, 1883_.
+
+
+
+
+_CHAPTER I._
+
+
+The territory comprised within the present boundaries of the town of
+Oneonta, previous to the war of the Revolution, was little known
+except as the scene of many a sanguinary conflict between different
+Indian tribes which contended with each other for its possession. The
+Delawares, whose home was on the river bearing their name, had been in
+peaceful possession of the upper Susquehanna valley from time
+immemorial; but long before the outbreak of hostilities between
+England and her trans-Atlantic colonies, the Tuscaroras, a warlike
+tribe from Virginia, wandered up the Susquehanna from Chesapeake Bay
+and laid claim to the upper portion of the valley as their
+hunting-grounds. From that time, with brief and uncertain intervals of
+peace, up to the close of the Revolutionary struggle, the war between
+the contending tribes was waged with relentless fury. Many a proud
+chief and valiant warrior fell beneath the tomahawk and became the
+victim of the merciless scalping-knife.
+
+Eventually the strife between these aboriginal tribes terminated in
+favor of the invaders, or Tuscaroras, who thereupon allied themselves
+with the Six Nations occupying the more northern and western portions
+of the state. They formed small settlements, one within the present
+town of Oneonta, at the mouth of the Otego creek, and another at or
+near the mouth of the Charlotte. The former was on the farm now owned
+and occupied by Andrew Van Woert; the other on what is known as the
+Island on the farm of James W. Jenks. At both these places Indian
+utensils and implements of war have been found in large numbers; at
+both, Indian orchards of some extent were standing a few years ago.
+
+These Indian settlements were destroyed by a detachment of American
+troops under Gen. Sullivan, who passed down the river from Cooperstown
+in the summer of 1779. Making a dam across the outlet of the lake,
+Sullivan succeeded in causing the water of the lake to rise
+considerably above the common level, when by removing the dam the
+stream was greatly swollen, and upon its current the colonial force,
+numbering about 1,000 men, was borne down the valley. It is related
+that the natives had become terrified at the sudden diminution of the
+water of the river and had fled in great haste from their homes,
+leaving the way unobstructed for the safe advance of the patriot
+force. Between the source of the stream and Unadilla, it is supposed
+that but few Indian orchards, cornfields or huts were left standing
+near the river. At the mouth of the Schenevus creek, a notable
+exception was made in favor of the Van Valkenburg family, residing
+then on the old Deitz farm across the river to the east of
+Colliersville, where now may be seen a number of ancient apple trees
+of Indian planting, still in a vigorous and fruitful condition. This
+Van Valkenburg family being half-breeds and friendly to the American
+cause, their property and possessions were not molested.
+
+Sullivan's passage down the stream was effected by means of batteaux
+and strong rafts, and owing to the windings of the channel, and the
+necessary army luggage, his progress, notwithstanding the increased
+volume of water that bore his barks along, was somewhat slow.
+
+Unopposed by an enemy, through a country marked with rare beauty of
+scenery,
+
+    "Each boatman bending to his oar,
+     With measured sweep the burden bore,"
+
+and with the advance of this small but daring patriot force, the
+Susquehanna valley ceased to be the permanent abiding place of the red
+men. A few scattered representatives of the once proud Tuscaroras and
+Oneidas built their temporary wigwams where convenience suggested, and
+derived such subsistence as the chase and stream afforded, but they
+were no longer a terror to the settlers.
+
+In the expeditions sent out to the southwestward from Albany, and
+likewise in the marauding expeditions of the savages against the
+frontier settlements along the Schoharie, the Susquehanna valley,
+wherein is situated the village of Oneonta, became the common highway
+to both parties. The old Indian trail, it has been ascertained, from
+the Schoharie fort to the west, passed down the Schenevus creek to its
+mouth, there crossed the Susquehanna, and continued down the northwest
+side of the stream, passed through the village of Oneonta nearly along
+the line of Main-st., thence crossing the river near the lower end of
+the village, it continued westward on the south side of the stream for
+some distance down the river, on toward the Chemung and the fort at
+Oswego. There was also another trail leading from Schoharie to
+Harpersfield and thence down the Charlotte creek to the Susquehanna.
+
+"We had gone on about ten miles farther which brought us as low down
+as where Collier's bridge now crosses the river. Here we imagined that
+the Indians were possibly as cunning as ourselves, and would doubtless
+take the more obscure way and endeavor to meet us on the east side. On
+which account we waded the stream and struck into the woods crossing
+the Indian path, toward a place now called Craft-town." (Priest's
+Collection of Stories of the Revolution, published in 1836. "McKeon's
+Scouts in Otsego County.")
+
+On the high ground, a little distance beyond the southern extremity of
+the Lower or Parish Bridge, there has been found within the past few
+years a large ring, which from the inscription traced upon it, is
+supposed to have belonged to one of Butler's Rangers. This ring is now
+in the possession of Dr. Meigs Case, and bears upon its outer side
+these words and letters: "Georgius Rex; B.R." It is supposed that the
+letters "B.R." are abbreviations for "Butler's Rangers."--"George, the
+King; Butler's Rangers."
+
+In 1683 two Cayuga Indians gave the following geographical information
+to the justices of Albany regarding the valley. The quotation is from
+the Documentary History of New York, Vol. I, page 393, etc.:
+
+"That it is one day's journey from the Mohawk Castles to the lake
+whence the Susquehanna river rises, and then ten days' journey from
+the river to the Susquehanna Castles--in all eleven days.
+
+"One day and a half's journey by land from Oneida to the kill which
+falls into the Susquehanna river, and one day from the kill unto the
+Susquehanna river, and then seven days unto the Susquehanna Castle--in
+all nine and a half days' journey."
+
+"The Indians demand wherefore such particular information relative to
+the Susquehanna river is sought after from them, and whether people
+are about to come there? The Indians are asked if it would be
+agreeable to them if folks should settle there? The Indians answer
+that they would be very glad if people came to settle there, as it is
+nigher than this place and more convenient to transport themselves and
+packs by water, inasmuch as they must bring everything hither on their
+backs. N.B.--The ascending of the Susquehanna river is one week longer
+than the descending."
+
+In 1684, the Onondaga and Cayuga sachems made an oration before Lord
+Howard of Effingham at Albany, from which the following extracts are
+taken. I have preserved the original spelling:
+
+"Wee have putt all our land and ourselfs under the Protection of the
+great Duke of York, the brother of your great Sachim. We have given
+the Susquehanne River which we wonn with the sword to this Government
+and desire that it may be a branch of that great tree, Whose topp
+reaches to the Sunn, under whose branches we shall shelter our selves
+from the French, or any other people, and our fire burn in your houses
+and your fire burns with us, and we desire that it always may be so,
+and will not that any of your Penn's people shall settle upon the
+Susquehanna River; for all our folks or soldiers are like Wolfs in
+the Woods, as you Sachim of Virginia know, we having no other land to
+leave to our wives and Children."
+
+In 1691, the governor and council of the province of New York sent an
+address to the king of England, from which the following extract is
+made:
+
+"Albany lies upon the same river, etc. Its commerce extends itself as
+far as the lakes of Canada and the Sinnekes Country in which is the
+Susquehannah River."
+
+It appears that the ownership of the Susquehanna was the subject of no
+little dispute among the tribes composing the Six Nations.[A] The
+Onondagas claimed the country.
+
+[Footnote A: From a record of a meeting of the mayor and aldermen of
+Albany in 1689 the Onondagas are called Ti-onon-dages.
+
+In an old map found among the papers of Sir Guy Johnson the Schenevus
+creek or valley is called Ti-ononda-don. The prefix _Ti_ appears to
+have been quite common among Indian names, sometimes used and
+sometimes omitted. Doubtless _Ononda_ is the root of the word
+_Ti-ononda-don_. As the Onondagas had claimed the Susquehanna country,
+the Indian etymologist might naturally inquire whether there was any
+kinship between Tionondaga, Tionondadon, Onondaga and the word
+Oneonta. His belief in a common etymon might be somewhat strengthened
+by a quotation from a "Journal of What Occurred between the French and
+Savages," kept during the years 1657-58. (See Doc. Hist., Vol. I, p.
+44*: [*Transcriber's Note: last digit illegible in original.]
+
+"The word Onnota, which signifies in the Iroquois tongue a _mountain_,
+has given the name to the village called Onnontae, or as others call
+it Onnontague, because it is on a mountain.")
+
+Perhaps the word Oneonta may have the same derivation or a like
+derivation as Onondaga--perhaps not. The reader is left to follow up
+the query. Among the Hurons who had been conquered by the Iroquois, a
+tribe is mentioned under the name of Ti-onnonta-tes. The name may have
+no relation to nor any bearing upon the derivation of the word
+Oneonta, but that there was such a tribe, the fact is given for what
+it may be worth.]
+
+"At fifty miles from Albany the Land Carriage from the Mohawk's river
+to a lake from whence the Northern Branch of Susquehanna takes its
+rise, does not exceed fourteen miles. Goods may be carried from this
+lake in Battoes or flatt bottomed Vessels through Pennsylvania to
+Maryland and Virginia, the current of the river running everywhere
+easy without any cataract in all that large space."
+
+The last quotation is from the report of the Surveyor General to the
+Lieutenant Governor in 1637.
+
+The foregoing extracts appear to contain about all the information
+which the authorities at the provincial capital could glean of the
+Indians concerning the Susquehanna country, as it was called.
+
+The few scattered natives who remained here after the establishment of
+peace, were, in 1795, removed to the reservation at Oneida, and became
+a part of the Indian tribes already settled there.
+
+In volume III of the Documentary History of New York, a quaintly
+interesting letter of the Rev. Gideon Hawley may be found. The letter
+is interesting, because it may be safely regarded as the earliest
+authentic writing respecting this portion of the valley. Mr. Hawley
+was sent out as a missionary teacher to the Indians.
+
+About this time a good deal of interest was being taken in the
+education of Indian youth. For the furtherance of this design, the
+Rev. Eleazur Wheelock established a school at New Lebanon, Conn., for
+the education of young whites and young Indians. This school
+afterwards ripened into Dartmouth college, and was removed to Hanover,
+New Hampshire. From this new-fledged seminary, the Rev. Mr. Kirkland
+was sent among the Oneidas, and his labors in that quarter eventually
+resulted in the founding of Hamilton college, at Clinton. From a
+similar school established at Stockbridge, Mass., and which appears to
+have been favored by the influence and good will of the celebrated
+Jonathan Edwards, Mr. Hawley was sent to Oquaga on the Susquehanna.
+
+Oquaga was the Indian settlement near the site of the present village
+of Windsor in Broome county. Mr. Hawley's journey was from Albany up
+the Mohawk, across the mountains to Schoharie, thence along the valley
+to Schenevus creek and westward. As his letter, in the form of a
+journal, contains the earliest account that is known of the presence
+of white people within the present territorial limits of Oneonta, I
+hope the quotations I make from it may prove of some interest. The
+letter is dated July 31st, 1794. The first entry is as follows:
+
+     JULY 31st, 1794.
+
+     "It is forty years this date since I was ordained a
+     missionary to the Indians, in the old South Meeting House,
+     when the Rev. Dr. Sewall preached on the occasion and the
+     Rev. Mr. Prince gave the charge. The Rev. Mr. Foxcroft and
+     Dr. Chauncey of Cambridge, assisted upon the occasion, and
+     Mr. Appleton. I entered upon this arduous business at
+     Stockbridge, under the patronage of the Rev. Mr. Edwards.
+     Was instructor of a few families of Iroquois, who came down
+     from their country for the sake of christian knowledge and
+     the schooling of their children. These families consisted of
+     Mohawks, Oneidas and Tuscaroras. I was their school-master
+     and preached to them on the Lord's day. Mr. Edwards visited
+     my school, catechised my scholars, and frequently delivered
+     a discourse to the children."
+
+This quotation may serve to show what kind of man this early
+missionary was, and the deep interest then felt in the education and
+civilization of the aborigines. The formality with which the clerical
+harness was put on in the historic Old South Church, is strikingly in
+contrast with the way the missionary to the Indians is equipped
+now-a-days.
+
+In the following quotations the dates are of the year 1753. May 22d of
+that year, a party consisting of Mr. Hawley, Mr. Woodbridge, a Mr.
+Ashley and Mrs. Ashley, set out from Stockbridge for Oquaga.
+
+May 30th, 1753, a little more than a week after leaving Stockbridge,
+the party had its first view of the Susquehanna at Colliers. As the
+journal gives some description of our valley as it was then--one
+hundred and thirty years ago--I quote freely:
+
+"Our way was generally obstructed by fallen trees, old logs, miry
+places, pointed rocks and entangled roots, which were not to be
+avoided. We were alternately on the ridge of a lofty mountain and in
+the depths of a valley. At best, our path was obscure and we needed
+guides to go before us. Night approaches, we halt and a fire is
+kindled; the kettles are filled and we refresh ourselves; and we adore
+Divine Providence, returning thanks for the salvations of the day and
+committing ourselves to God for the night, whose presence is equally
+in the recesses of the solitary wilderness and in the social walks of
+the populous city. With the starry heavens above me, and having the
+earth for my bed, I roll myself in a blanket, and without a dream to
+disturb my repose, pass the night in quiet, and never awake till the
+eye-lids of morning are opened, and the penetrating rays of the sun
+look through the surrounding foliage.
+
+"It may not be impertinent to observe that in this wilderness we
+neither see nor hear any birds of music. These frequent only the
+abodes of man. There is one _wood-bird_, not often seen, but heard
+without any melody in his note, in every part of the wilderness
+wherever I have been. In some parts of this extensive country, the
+wild pigeons breed in numbers almost infinite. I once passed an
+extensive valley where they had rested; and for six or eight miles,
+where the trees were near and thick, every tree had a number of nests
+upon it, and some not less than fifteen or twenty upon them. But as
+soon as their young are able, they take wing and are seen no more."
+
+The next extract is from the journal of May 30th, 1753:
+
+"We were impatient to see the famous Susquehanna, and as soon as we
+came, Mr. Woodbridge and I walked down to its banks. Disappointed at
+the smallness of its stream, he exclaimed, 'Is this the Susquehanna?'
+
+"When we returned our young Indians, who had halted, came in, looking
+as terrible and ugly as they could, having bedaubed their faces with
+vermilion, lampblack, white-lead, etc. A young Indian always carries
+with him his looking-glass and paint; and does not consider himself as
+dressed until he has adjusted his countenance by their assistance.
+
+"Mr. Woodbridge and Mrs. Ashley, our interpreter, could not travel any
+further by land. We therefore concluded to get a canoe and convey them
+by water. From this place [now Colliers] to Onohoghwage is three days'
+journey; and how bad the traveling is we cannot tell.
+
+"May 31st, [1753.] We met with difficulty about getting a canoe, and
+sent an Indian into the woods to get ready a bark, but he made small
+progress.
+
+"In the afternoon came from Otsego lake, which is the source of this
+stream, George Windecker and another, in a small batteau, with goods
+and rum, going down to Onohoghwage upon a trading voyage. We agreed
+with them to carry the interpreter and Mr. Woodbridge in their
+batteau; and bought a wooden canoe to carry our flour and baggage.
+
+"We soon saw the ill effects of Windecker's rum. The Indians began to
+drink and some of our party were the worse for it. We perceived what
+was coming.
+
+"June 1st, 1753, is with me a memorable day, and for forty years and
+more has not passed unnoticed. We got off as silently as we could with
+ourselves and effects. Some went by water and others by land, with the
+horses. I was with the land party. The Indians, half intoxicated, were
+outrageous, and pursued both the party by water, in which was Mr.
+Woodbridge, and the party by land. One came so near us as with his
+club to strike at us, and he hit one of our horses. We hastened.
+Neither party met till we arrived at Wauteghe [the name of the Indian
+village at the mouth of the Otego creek] at which had been an Indian
+village, where were a few fruit trees and considerable cleared land,
+but no inhabitants. Here, being unmolested and secure, we all
+refreshed ourselves. But Pallas was the worse for his rum; was so
+refractory that Mr. Ashley's hired man, who had been in the canoe with
+him, was afraid. I reproved him; got into the canoe to keep him in
+order; was young and inexperienced; knew not much of Indians, nor much
+of mankind; whereby I endangered my life."
+
+In 1763, Rev. Mr. Wheelock made application to Gen. Amherst for a land
+grant in the following words: "That a tract of land, about fifteen or
+twenty miles square, or so much as shall be sufficient for four
+townships, on the west side of Susquehanna river, or in some other
+place more convenient, in the heart of the Indian country, be granted
+in favor of this school. The said townships be peopled with a chosen
+number of inhabitants of known honesty, integrity, and such as love
+and will be kind to, and honest in their dealings with Indians.
+
+"That a thousand acres of, and within said grant be given to this
+school; part of it to be a college for the education of missionaries,
+interpreters, school-masters, etc.; and part of it a school to teach
+reading, writing, etc. And that there be manufactures for the
+instruction of both males and females, in whatever shall be useful and
+necessary in life, and proper tutors, masters and mistresses be
+provided for the same."
+
+
+
+
+_CHAPTER II._
+
+
+During the war for independence, the Susquehanna valley below
+Schenevus creek was the lurking place of Indians and Tories, who, from
+this secluded territory, made many and frequent inroads upon the
+settlements on the Schoharie and Charlotte. Owing to the remoteness of
+this section and the weak condition of the frontiersmen, the trail of
+the retreating savages was seldom followed to any considerable
+distance and consequently but little knowledge concerning the valley
+was derived by the settlers at the former points until the restoration
+of peace.
+
+In 1770, an extensive tract of land was granted to Sir William Johnson
+and others, a large part of which lies within the limits of the town
+of Oneonta. This tract lies on both sides of the Susquehanna river,
+both above and below the Otego creek. It is supposed the first
+settlement within the town was made upon this patent.[A] It contained
+26,000 acres.
+
+[Footnote A: Many have erroneously believed this patent to have been
+the grant made by the Indian chief to Sir William in accordance with a
+dream the latter had, _i.e._, he had dreamed that the Indian gave him
+all of a certain described tract, whereupon the Indian told him that
+he supposed what he had dreamed must be true, but "be sure and not
+dream again." "Dreamland," by good authority, is said to be in
+Herkimer county.]
+
+Some years before the commencement of hostilities, Henry Schramling,
+a hardy pioneer from the older settlement at German Flats, on the
+Mohawk, came into the valley and made a settlement at a point near the
+Otego creek bridge, but by reason of the troubled condition of the
+country after 1775, Mr. Schramling moved back to the Mohawk for
+greater security. After the war he with his brothers, George and
+David, returned to the Susquehanna. It is believed upon good authority
+that he was the first white settler in the town of Oneonta. After the
+departure of the Schramling family, many years elapsed before any
+pioneers were found venturesome enough to settle in this portion of
+the valley.
+
+Abram Houghtailing, Elias Brewer and Peter Swartz became settlers here
+in 1786. Houghtailing and Brewer came from Washington county, and
+Swartz from Schoharie. About the same date, James Youngs settled near
+the mouth of the Charlotte and Baltus Kimball settled north of the
+village on the farm now owned by Jacob Morell.
+
+About the year 1790, Thomas Morenus[A] settled on the south side of
+the river. He was a German from Schoharie. About the same time
+Frederick Brown came from Fulton, N.Y., and settled on the farm
+formerly owned and occupied by Eliakim R. Ford. At this time Brown's
+house was the only one standing within the limits of the present
+village corporation. About the year 1795, one Aaron Brink built a
+large log house by the mill pond, or rather between the railroad
+crossing on Main street and the mill pond. Brink's house was the first
+hotel kept in the village of Oneonta, and perhaps the first that was
+kept in town. Between Brown's house and Brink's tavern there was only
+a common wood-road, with a dense forest on either side.
+
+[Footnote A: Thomas Morenus, before settling here, had been a captive
+among the Indians, and had "run the gauntlet" at Fort Niagara. The
+terrible scourging he had received at the hands of the savages left
+marks which were plainly traceable when he had become an old man.]
+
+About the same time John Vanderwerker built the first grist-mill. This
+mill stood some distance east of the grist-mill now standing in the
+lower part of the village.
+
+In 1791, Asel Marvin came from Vermont and first settled at Oneonta
+Plains. Shortly afterwards he removed on a large tract of wild land,
+about two miles from the village, upon the Oneonta Creek. He was a
+well-known builder and lumberman. For twenty-two consecutive years he
+rafted lumber to Baltimore. He built the first school house on the
+Oneonta Creek road, and when the first church edifice was built in
+town, he was one of the trustees of the church society. When Mr.
+Marvin moved into the valley of the Oneonta Creek, the country across
+the hill from Oneonta to Laurens, was almost an unbroken wilderness.
+
+Some years later than the last named date, Peter Dinninny opened the
+first store kept in Oneonta. The store then stood where the opera
+block now stands. The first school-house was built soon after 1790,
+and stood on the rise of ground near the house of Horace Sessions, on
+the south side of the river.
+
+Previous to 1816, when the Presbyterian church was built, church
+services were generally held in Frederick Brown's barn. The first
+clergyman who regularly preached here was the Rev. Alfred Conkey, who
+was settled at Milford. Mr. Conkey is yet remembered by some of the
+older citizens as a very earnest and zealous man, besides being a
+person of liberal culture.
+
+The first white child born in this town, or the first known to have
+been born in town, was Abram Houghtaling. He was born in 1786.
+
+John and Nicholas Beams were early settlers to the east of the
+village. Elisha Shepherd came from New England at an early day and
+settled at Oneonta Plains. His sons, in after years, became actively
+engaged in different branches of industry, and the Plains at one time
+bid fair to become the most prominent village in town. It contained a
+hotel, a store, two churches and a distillery.
+
+Andrew Parish was also one of the pioneers of Oneonta. He was born in
+Massachusetts in 1786, and moved from Springfield here in 1808. He
+settled on the south side of the river on the John Fritts farm, and
+afterwards on the hill near the "Round Top." From the latter place he
+moved to the farm now owned by his son Stephen, on the south side of
+the river. Mr. Parish reared a large family of children, all of whom
+became successful farmers, and men of business. Andrew Parish was a
+justice of the town for twenty years in succession. He was also a
+commissioner of schools under the old system. In 1809 he put up a
+brick kiln on the Elisha Shepherd farm at the Oneonta Plains, from
+which came the first bricks that were used in town.
+
+Dr. Joseph Lindsay was the first physician who settled in Oneonta. He
+came from Pelham, in the old county of Hampshire, Mass., in the year
+1807. Having received a liberal education in the advanced schools of
+his native state and at Williams College, in after years he became a
+teacher to many of the younger people of the country who were
+ambitious of extending their studies beyond the rudimentary branches
+taught at that time in the schools of the neighborhood.
+
+In 1815, Frederick Bornt moved on the farm now owned and occupied by
+his son, on the Oneonta Creek. He had been a soldier in the war of
+1812 and had served at the battle of Plattsburg. He came from
+Rensselaer county, N.Y.
+
+Before the date last named, Jacob Van Woert, a Dutchman, and father of
+the late Peter and John Van Woert, came from Albany and settled on the
+farm lately owned by his son Peter, near the mouth of the Otego Creek.
+Asa Emmons about the same time settled on the south side of the river,
+near the Charlotte. He came from Vermont, and settled where Deacon
+Slade now lives. Jacob Wolf, the father of Conradt Wolf, had also
+settled in the southern part of the town at about the close of the
+Revolutionary war. Mr. Wolf had been taken as an Indian captive to
+Canada, where he had been detained for several years. His home, when
+captured, was in the valley of the Mohawk. While extinguishing a fire
+which had caught in a tall hemlock, by night, he was surprised by a
+company of Indians, by whom he was easily overpowered. He at length
+escaped from his captors, and making his way southward, after a long
+and perilous journey, he met with friends on the Tioga river. He
+rejoined his wife on the Mohawk, and afterwards removed to the
+Susquehanna, on the farm now owned by George Swart, southwest of the
+village.
+
+Elihu Gifford, with four sons, came from Albany county in 1803, and
+first settled at West Oneonta, on the farm now owned by Joseph Taber.
+In 1806, Mr. Gifford moved to the farm now owned by Henry Gifford on
+Oneonta Creek. About the same time Josiah Peet and Ephraim Farrington
+moved into the same neighborhood. Later, Col. Wm. Richardson settled
+further up the creek and built a saw-mill and a grist-mill.
+"Richardson's Mills" became a well-known place in a few years, and a
+thriving hamlet soon began to form around them. Col. Richardson was an
+enterprising man of business and took a prominent part in the affairs
+of the town. He served in the war of 1812-15.
+
+When Elihu Gifford moved to the Oneonta Creek there were only four
+"clearings" in that valley. A Mr. Armitage had made some inroads upon
+the wilderness, on what is now known as the Losee farm; Asel Marvin
+had made a clearing on the James Sheldon farm, and there were others
+on Mrs. Richardson's farm, and where Peter Yager lives. The settlers
+along the Oneonta Creek, after Mr. Marvin, moved in slowly.
+
+About 1804, David Yager came from Greenbush, N.Y., and purchased the
+farm now known as the Peter Yager farm. Solomon Yager, the father of
+David, came afterwards, purchasing his son's farm.[A]
+
+[Footnote A: For the purpose of showing the increase in the value of
+real estate, it may be mentioned that at the time David Yager sold to
+his father, he was offered a farm lying between Maple street and the
+farm of J.R.L. Walling, containing 150 acres, for $400.]
+
+James McDonald settled at the lower end of the village at an early
+date. Mr. McDonald was of Scotch descent, and an active business man.
+The lower part of the village was largely built through his enterprise
+and at one time bid fair to become the business centre of the village.
+He built a mill and hotel, and also became an extensive landholder.
+James McDonald kept the first post-office established within the
+limits of the town.
+
+The first settlers were mostly German Palatinates from Schoharie and
+the Mohawk. The German was the language of common conversation, and so
+continued until Dr. Lindsay and Asa Emmons came into the settlement.
+At this time the Emmons and Lindsay families were the only ones that
+made the English their exclusive language.
+
+These German settlers were a patient and persevering people, and
+betook themselves to the task of felling the forest and rearing homes
+for themselves and their posterity, with a noble and praiseworthy
+resolution. Beneath the sturdy strokes of the axe, the wilderness
+slowly but gradually disappeared around their rude homes, and in the
+place of the gloomy forest, fields of waving grain appeared on every
+side to cheer and encourage the industrious woodsman. The forests
+abounded in the most ravenous animals, such as bears, panthers and
+wolves, while along the river and creek bottoms the ground was at
+places almost literally covered with poisonous reptiles. The climate
+was severe, and the country remote from the frontier, yet
+notwithstanding the obstacles and discouragements that beset them,
+these were not sufficient to cause the settlers to relax their efforts
+to rear comfortable homes for their descendants.
+
+The following story I have taken from Priest's Collection, for the
+reason that the scene of the exploit is said to have been near our
+town boundaries:
+
+"Ben Wheaton was one of the first settlers on the waters of the
+Susquehanna, immediately after the war, a rough, uncultivated and
+primitive man. As many others of the same stamp and character, he
+subsisted chiefly by hunting, cultivating the land but sparingly, and
+in this way raised a numerous family amid the woods, in a half starved
+condition, and comparative nakedness. But as the Susquehanna country
+rapidly increased in population, the hunting grounds of Wheaton were
+encroached upon; so that a chance with his smooth-bore, among the deer
+and bears was greatly lessened. On this account Wheaton removed from
+the Susquehanna country, in Otsego county, to the more unsettled wilds
+of the Delaware, near a place yet known by the appellation of Wait's
+Settlement,[A] where game was more plenty. The distance from where he
+made his home in the woods, through to the Susquehanna, was about
+fifteen miles, and was one continued wilderness at that time. Through
+these woods this almost aboriginal hunter was often compelled to pass
+to the Susquehanna, for various necessaries, and among the rest no
+small quantity of whiskey, as he was of very intemperate habits. On
+one of these visits, in the midst of summer, with his smooth-bore
+always on his shoulder, knife, hatchet, &c., in their proper place, he
+had nearly penetrated the distance, when he became weary, and having
+come to the summit of a ridge (sometime in the afternoon) which
+overlooks the vale of the Susquehanna, he selected a convenient place
+in the shade, as it was hot, for the rays of the sun from the west
+poured his sultry influence through all the forest, where he lay down
+to rest a while among the leaves, after having taken a drink from his
+pint bottle of green glass, and a mouthful of cold Johnney cake from
+his pocket.
+
+[Footnote A: Wait's Settlement is said to have been in the vicinity of
+what now is known as North Franklin.]
+
+"In this situation he was soothed to drowsiness by the hum of insects,
+and the monotony of passing winds among the foliage around him, when
+he soon unwarily fell asleep with his gun folded in his arms. But
+after a while he awoke from his sleep, and for a moment or two still
+lay in the same position, as it happened, without stirring, when he
+found that something had taken place while he had slept, which had
+situated him somewhat differently from the manner in which he first
+went to sleep. On reflecting a moment, he found he was entirely
+covered over, head and ears, with leaves and light stuff, occasioned,
+as he now suspected, either by the sudden blowing of the wind, or by
+some wild animal. On which account he became a little disturbed in his
+mind, as he well knew the manners of the panther at that season of the
+year, when it hunts to supports its young, and will often cover its
+prey with leaves and bring its whelps to the banquet. He therefore
+continued to lie perfectly still, as when he first awoke; he thought
+he heard the step of some kind of heavy animal near him; and he knew
+that if it were a panther, the distance between himself and death
+could not be far, if he should attempt to rise up. Accordingly, as he
+suspected, after having lain a full minute, he now distinctly heard
+the retiring tread of the stealthy panther, of which he had no doubt,
+from his knowledge of the creature's ways. It had taken but a few
+steps however, when it again stopped a longer time; still Wheaton
+continued his silent position, knowing his safety depended much on
+this. Soon the tread was again heard, farther and farther off, till it
+entirely died away in the distance--but he still lay motionless a few
+minutes longer, when he ventured gently and cautiously to raise his
+head and cast an eye in the direction the creature, whatever it was,
+had gone, but could see nothing. He now rose up with a spring, for his
+blood had been running from his heart to his extremities, and back
+again, with uncommon velocity; all the while his ears had listened to
+the steps of the animal on the leaves and brush. He now saw plainly
+the marks of design among the leaves, and that he had been covered
+over, and that the paws of some creature had done it.
+
+"And as he suspected the panther was the animal, he knew it would soon
+return to kill him, on which account he made haste to deceive it, and
+to put himself in a situation to give it a taste of the contents of
+old smooth-bore. He now seized upon some pieces of old wood which lay
+all about, and placed as much as was equal to his own bulk, exactly
+where he had slept, and covered it over with leaves in the same manner
+the panther had done, and then sprang to a tree near by, into which he
+ascended, from whence he had a view a good distance about him, and
+especially in the direction the creature had gone. Here in the crotch
+of the tree he stood, with his gun resting across a limb, in the
+direction of the place where he had been left by the panther, looking
+sharply as far among the woods as possible, in the direction he
+expected the creature's return. But he had remained in this condition
+but a short time, and had barely thrust the ram-rod down the barrel of
+his piece, to be sure the charge was in her, and to examine her
+priming, and to shut down the pan slowly, so that it should not snap,
+and thus make a noise, when his keen Indian eye, for such he had,
+caught a glimpse of a monstrous panther, leading warily two panther
+kittens toward her intended supper.
+
+"Now matters were hastening to a climax rapidly, when Wheaton or the
+panther must finish their hunting on the mountains of the Susquehanna,
+for if old smooth-bore should flash in the pan, or miss her aim, the
+die would be cast, as a second load would be impossible ere her claws
+would have sundered his heart strings in the tree where he was, or if
+he should but partially wound her the same must have been his fate.
+During these thoughts the panther had hid her young under some brush,
+and had come within some thirty feet of the spot where she supposed
+her victim was still sleeping; and seeing all as she left it, she
+dropped down to a crouching position, precisely as a cat, when about
+to spring on its prey. Now was seen the soul of the panther in its
+perfection, merging from the recesses of nature where hidden by the
+creator, along the whole nervous system, but resting chiefly in the
+brain, whence it glared, in bright horror, from the burning eyes,
+curled in the strong and vibrating tail, pushed out the sharp, white
+and elliptical fangs from the broad and powerful paws, ready for
+rending, glittered on the points of its uncovered teeth, and smoked in
+rapid tissues of steam from its red and open jaws, while every hair of
+its long dun back stood erect in savage joy, denoting that the fatal
+and decisive moment of its leap had come.
+
+"Now the horrid nestling of its hinder claws, drawn under its belly
+was heard, and the bent ham strings were seen but a half instant by
+Wheaton, from where he sat in his tree, when the tremendous leap was
+made. It rose on a long curve into the air, of about ten feet in the
+highest place, and from thence descending, it struck exactly where the
+breast, head and bowels of its prey had lain, with a scream too
+horrible for description, when it tore to atoms the rotten wood,
+filling for several feet above it, the air with the leaves and light
+brush, the covering of the deception. But instantly the panther found
+herself cheated, and seemed to droop a little with disappointment,
+when however she resumed an erect posture, and surveyed quite around
+on every side on a horizontal line, in search of her prey, but not
+discovering it, she cast a furious look aloft among the tops of the
+trees, when in a moment or two the eyes of Wheaton and the panther
+met. Now for another leap, when she dropped for that purpose; but the
+bullet and two buck shot of old smooth bore were too quick, as he
+lodged them all exactly in the brain of the savage monster, and
+stretched her dead on the spot where the hunter had slept but a short
+time before, in the soundness, of a mountain dream.
+
+"Wheaton had marked the spot where her young were hidden, which, at
+the report of the gun, were frightened and ran up a tree. He now came
+down and found the panther to measure, from the end of its nose to the
+point of its tail, eight feet six inches in length; a creature
+sufficiently strong to have carried him off on a full run, had he
+fallen into its power. He now reloaded and went to the tree where her
+kittens, or the young panthers were, and soon brought them down from
+their grapple among the limbs, companions for their conquered and
+slain parent.
+
+"Wheaton dismantled them of their hides, and hastened away before the
+night should set in, lest some other encounter might overtake him of a
+similar character, when the disadvantage of darkness might decide the
+victory in a way more advantageous to the roamers of the forest. Of
+this feat Ben Wheaton never ceased to boast; reciting it as the most
+appalling passage of his hunting life. The animal had found him while
+asleep, and had him concealed, as he supposed, intending to give her
+young a specimen of the manner of their future life; or if this is too
+much for the mind of a dumb animal, she intended at least to give them
+a supper.
+
+"This circumstance was all that saved his life, or the panther would
+have leapt upon him at first, and have torn him to pieces, instead of
+covering him with leaves, as she did, for the sake of her young. The
+panther is a ferocious and almost untamable animal, whose nature and
+habits are like those of the cat; except that the nature and powers of
+this domestic creature are in the panther immensely magnified, in
+strength and voracity. It is in the American forest what the tiger is
+in Africa and India, a dangerous and savage animal, the terror of all
+other creatures, as well as of the Indian and the white man."
+
+The German Palatinates who settled in the upper Susquehanna were noted
+for their physical endurance and their fondness for sports, but the
+same can hardly be said of their desire for intellectual culture.
+Perhaps they were no worse, in this respect, than circumstances made
+them. Poverty and hard work were their portion, and the share was not
+stinted out to them. There were no newspapers, that is, during the
+earlier history of the settlement, published at a nearer point than
+Albany. Even those papers were but poor affairs. They were filled
+with the unimportant doings of the Dutch burghers--perhaps enlivened
+now and then, with a highly seasoned article, full of indignation
+because some obscure man in Massachusetts had committed a trespass by
+cutting a forest tree on the manor of Livingston.
+
+School teachers were not numerous nor were they well qualified for
+their work. School houses were at a great distance from most of the
+homes. They were both comfortless and cheerless. The snows were deep
+in winter and the weather was inclement. In summer, even little hands
+were helpful at home.
+
+In their sports, the settlers were often inclined to push a joke to
+rudeness, and what began in fun often ended in a fight. Still, they
+were good-natured, honest people. They were kind to those needing
+assistance, and if necessity became common so did the loaf of bread.
+
+There was no lack of social enjoyment, for their hardest toil was made
+the occasion of a gathering. If a piece of woodland was to be cleared,
+or a fallow, the male portion of the community united in a "bee" and
+the work was soon done. Perhaps, while the men were thus working
+together in the field, the women had gathered within doors, and were
+busily plying their fingers over the mottled patch-work of a quilt.
+In the lengthening summer twilight the men, coatless and barefoot, sat
+in groups on the front steps or under the low Dutch stoops and talked
+of the incoming crops, the weather or the watery moon.
+
+The forests, all over the hillsides, where now village streets are
+creeping up and winding across, were frowning with great pines and
+hemlocks. The log road ran in every direction and was no more
+exclusive than a common highway. The "shingle-weaver's" huts were on
+nearly every road and bypath. The most towering pines were regarded as
+lawful prize, and during the winter the men found plenty of employment
+and slight recompense in hauling the pines to mill. Here they were
+converted into lumber, which was piled up by the bank of the river
+until "the spring freshet." On the swollen stream it was rafted to
+Baltimore, Harrisburg and other places.
+
+The "rafting season" was looked forward to with no little solicitude
+by the more robust and daring of the young men. They waited for the
+rafts to be cut from their moorings with keen anticipation, and the
+stories of some of the rivermen are still well remembered by the older
+inhabitants.
+
+For a great many years, Albany was the only market to which the
+pioneers carted their wheat. The roads were barely passable and the
+trip to Albany and back required from six to eight days. The wagons,
+upon which the produce was carted, were of rough and clumsy make. It
+would not be supposed that the driver would find much pleasure in
+making the distance to market and back on one of these clumsy
+vehicles, but the trip, especially to the younger men, was not without
+its enjoyments. They carried their provisions in a large, round,
+wooden box over which closed a round, wooden cover. They also carried
+provender for their teams and the only necessary cash expense was a
+sixpence each night for lodging. The more sumptuous and less
+economical might, if they chose, diminish their exchequer to the
+amount of an extra sixpence by indulging in a glass of "flip." Nearly
+every farm-house of any pretension on the high road to Albany was a
+hotel, so-called, if not in fact. Seated at night within these
+primitive hotels, the farmers who had assembled from different parts
+told their tales of prowess--some true stories and a good many lies.
+
+Beside the ambitious house that gloried in a daub of red paint and
+which had been pushed up to the aristocratic height of one and a half
+or two stories, before which flapped in the wind a wide, white board
+with the cheerful announcement, "Smith's Inn--Refreshments for Man or
+Beast," stood a more modest structure. Brown, unpainted,
+unclapboarded, it stood by the wayside. Its log walls were stuccoed
+with mud, and in the wide mouth of the doorway was the brawny
+housewife, bare-armed, peering from beneath a slatternly red
+sun-bonnet, while over the doorway the passer-by read the letters in
+red chalk upon a new pine shingle:
+
++-----------------+
+| "CAKES AND BEER |
+| FOR SALE HERE." |
++-----------------+
+
+After the farmer had sold or bartered away his wheat or other produce,
+he generally returned with a load of goods for the village merchant.
+
+
+
+
+_CHAPTER III._
+
+
+Prominent among the early settlers of Oneonta was Jacob Dietz, who
+removed into the settlement from Schoharie county about the year 1804.
+Mr. Dietz was early appointed a justice of the peace, and continued in
+office either by appointment or election for a great length of time.
+He was active in the affairs of the town and an energetic man of
+business. He was a long time in mercantile business, and his store,
+which was situated where now stands the brick building occupied by the
+First National Bank, was the center of a lively trade for those times.
+Mr. Dietz accumulated an extensive estate, and reared a large family
+of children. He became the owner of extensive tracts of land, some of
+which are now occupied by the streets and residences of the village.
+Some of his representatives are now living in the west and are
+deservedly esteemed where they reside.
+
+At about the date last mentioned, one Schoolcraft erected a modest
+structure on the site of the Susquehanna House. Schoolcraft's house
+became in a short time the leading tavern of the community, where poor
+grog and worse food were dispensed to the villagers and wayfarers,
+doubtless much to the gratification of their primitive tastes.
+
+About the same period, 1804-5, one Joseph Westcott, from the present
+town of Milford, erected a store nearly opposite the residence of D.M.
+Miller. These stores--Dinninny's, mentioned in the preceding chapter,
+Dietz's and Westcott's--were all of the most primitive order, and,
+especially the first named, contained but a meagre stock of goods, the
+stock generally consisting of a barrel of New England rum of the most
+violent nature, several old bull ploughs, a little crockery ware, a
+few cooking utensils, and a small amount of dry goods. There was but
+little money and the merchant's trade was carried on mostly in the way
+of barter, the tradesman exchanging his merchandise for grain, lumber
+and shingles.
+
+Early in the history of the town, a Mr. Walling, the grandfather of
+J.R.L. Walling, located to the east of Oneonta creek, near where his
+descendant above named now lives. One Newkirk also settled on Chestnut
+street, on the lot adjoining Philander Lane's. Lawrence Swart settled
+on the farm now owned and occupied by Henry Wilcox, about the same
+time that Jacob Dietz came into the settlement.[A]
+
+[Footnote A: There were other families among the settlers by the name
+of Hillsinger, Couse, Whitmarsh, Harsen, Sullivan, White and Morrell.]
+
+At the time of Swart's settlement the land on the lower end of River
+street was covered by a dense forest of hemlock and maple. Over those
+attractive and well-tilled fields now composing Mr. Wilcox's farm,
+roamed at that time the bear and the panther, and glided with little
+molestation numberless rattlesnakes of the largest and most poisonous
+species. The settlement along the river, below the residence of George
+Scramling, seemed to proceed slowly, as the land below this point was
+considered of but little value, while the heavy growth of hemlock
+precluded the rapid clearing away of the forest. To the north and east
+of the village the hillsides yielded a vast quantity of the more
+valuable timber.
+
+For news outside of the little settlement the inhabitants had recourse
+to the _Freeman's Journal_, at that time published by one of the
+pioneers of journalism in Otsego county, John H. Prentiss. The mails
+were conveyed from one settlement to another by the postman, who
+traveled over the hills and through the valleys on horseback, and made
+known his approach to each post-village by the winding of a huge horn,
+which was always carried by his saddle-bows ready for use.
+
+During the war of 1812-14, the winding of the postman's horn caused
+the settlers both in the village and without to assemble rapidly and
+in full force, men, women and children, to learn the news from the
+"Canada border." Early in that war a number of men entered the army
+from Oneonta. Some of them were stationed at Sackett's Harbor and
+Oswego, while others did good service at Lundy's Lane and the Heights
+of Queenstown. But few of those veterans yet remain to tell
+
+    "Of their strange ventures happed by land or sea."
+
+At the time of its first settlement, Oneonta was in the old county of
+Tryon, which was formed from Albany county in 1772. Tryon county then
+embraced the whole western portion of the state, from a line extending
+north and south through the centre of the present county of Schoharie,
+to Lake Erie. In 1784 the name was changed from Tryon to Montgomery.
+Oneonta was then in the old town of Suffrage.
+
+During the period of which we have written, Oneonta as a distinct town
+had no existence. The village of Oneonta was then in the town of
+Milford, and was known as Milfordville. Through the brawl of two old
+bruisers, it was sometimes vulgarly called "Klipknocky."[A] This
+nickname lasted a long while, and was known at a long distance from
+home.
+
+[Footnote A: On the banks of the Susquehanna, in Pennsylvania, there
+is a thriving little hamlet known as "Klipknocky Jr." It was first
+settled by an emigrant from Oneonta. While the river was the highway
+the most easily traveled, fugitives from the older settlement found a
+landing-place for their canoes and a safe retreat for themselves at
+"Klipknocky Jr."]
+
+In 1830 the town of Oneonta was formed from the adjoining towns of
+Milford and Otego. It is said that it received the name Oneonta at the
+suggestion of Gen. Erastus Root.
+
+Among the early inhabitants of Oneonta, whose enterprise contributed
+to the development of the resources of the town, was William Angell,
+who soon after his settlement here became the most prominent
+inhabitant of the village. He built the Oneonta House, where he acted
+as host for a number of years. He was also one of the proprietors of
+the Charlotte turnpike, which upon its completion in 1834, was made
+the great highway from Catskill to the southwestern portion of the
+state.
+
+Any attempted sketch of our early history would be very far from
+complete and far from just, were mention not made of a class of
+citizens, some of whom are still living, whose labors were early
+identified with the history of the town, a part of whom were here born
+and here grew to manhood; a part of whom came to the village while it
+was yet an outlying hamlet, but whose labors have largely aided in
+advancing the growth and prosperity of the community.
+
+Among these was Timothy Sabin, a native of the town, who, upon
+arriving at the age of manhood, embarked in mercantile pursuits, and
+continued to an advanced age to lend his aid to the management of an
+extensive business. Another of the older class of men of the village
+is John M. Watkins, who was born in Oneonta in 1806. For thirty years
+Mr. Watkins was one of the leading hotel keepers of the village, and
+during this long period in which he acted the part of host, his house
+was known far and wide as the best kept hostelry in this section.
+There are many more "to the manor born" whose names it would be a
+pleasure to mention, but for lack of data which their friends or
+representatives have neglected or failed to furnish, we are compelled
+to forego any more extended notice.
+
+Occupying a prominent position among those who, at an early date,
+emigrated into the town was Eliakim R. Ford. Mr. Ford was born in
+Albany county in 1797, and removed to Greenville, Greene county, when
+quite young. From the latter place he removed to Oneonta in 1822, he
+then being twenty-five years of age. He at once embarked in mercantile
+enterprises and so conducted his business matters as to rapidly win
+both the confidence and trade of his fellow citizens. His first store
+stood near the Free Baptist church. From that point he removed to a
+store next to the lot where now the opera house stands, and in 1828 he
+again moved into a store which he had built near the residence of
+Harvey Baker. His late residence and the stone store recently
+destroyed by fire were built in 1839-40.
+
+Dr. Samuel H. Case settled in the village of Oneonta in 1829. He was
+born in Franklin, N.Y., in 1808, and at the age of twenty-one was
+graduated at the medical college at Fairfield, N.Y. More than fifty
+years he has continued the practice of medicine in the village and
+throughout the surrounding country. There are but a few among the
+longer resident population of the community who have not, at one time
+or another, been under the Doctor's treatment. He built the office
+still occupied by him, in 1832, and his house in 1834--soon after his
+marriage--and has never moved from either since he began to occupy
+them. When he moved into the village, the latter contained only two
+painted houses, and the whole business prosperity of the hamlet was
+then centered in two stores--Dietz's and Ford's--one potash and two
+distilleries. Dr. Case is of New England ancestry, his father having
+emigrated to Franklin from Tolland county, Connecticut, in 1792.
+
+Col. William W. Snow came to Oneonta, a few years after the last
+named, and early engaged in manufacturing. The Colonel was born in the
+town of Heath, Franklin county, Mass. He became interested in the
+organization and welfare of the militia. He was elected to a
+colonelcy, whence his military title. He was elected to congress from
+Otsego and Schoharie counties in 1848. He has been several times
+elected to our state legislature, and has been a member of the third
+house many years.
+
+Though not a resident of the town, yet his business relations have
+been such as to identify the name of Jared Goodyear with its history.
+Mr. Goodyear for a long term of years resided upon the borders of
+Oneonta, and from an early period was largely interested in the
+business of the village. He was born in Connecticut, and while a boy
+removed to Schoharie county, whence he came to Colliersville while yet
+a young man, and there he resided the remainder of his life. By
+persistent industry Mr. Goodyear accumulated a large fortune, and won
+a high reputation for integrity.
+
+The following is a column of business cards from the "ONEONTA
+WEEKLY JOURNAL," of July 1, 1841. It is nearly a correct showing
+of what the business of the village then was:[A]
+
+     Headquarters at the foot of Chestnut street. New Fall and
+     Winter goods. Timothy Sabin is now receiving a fresh supply
+     of Spring and Summer Goods, comprising a general assortment
+     of Dry Goods, Groceries, Crockery, Hardware, Dye Stuffs,
+     Paints, Oils, etc., etc., for sale as low as at any
+     establishment west of the Hudson river. Please call and
+     examine goods and prices; they are well selected, and will
+     be sold cheap for Cash, Produce, or a liberal credit.
+
+     Oneonta, May 13, 1841.
+
+     Cabinet and Chair Warehouse, No. 10 Chestnut st., Oneonta.
+     The subscriber respectfully informs his friends, and the
+     public generally, that he has opened a Cabinet Warehouse at
+     No. 10 Chestnut st., Oneonta, where he manufactures and
+     keeps constantly on hand, a general assortment of Cabinet
+     Furniture, comprising Mahogany, Cherry and Maple work. Also,
+     a good assortment of Chairs, will be kept constantly on
+     hand, and all other articles generally found at an
+     establishment of this kind.
+
+     N.B. Most kinds of Lumber and grain will be received in
+     payment.
+
+     Oneonta, Sept. 17, 1840. R.W. HOPKINS
+
+     A Card Executed at the office of the Oneonta Weekly Journal
+     with neatness and dispatch and on reasonable terms, Job
+     Printing of every description.
+
+     E. Cooke, Attorney at Law, Oneonta, Otsego County, N.Y.
+
+     John B. Steele, Attorney, &c., Oneonta, Otsego County, N.Y.
+     Office, in the stone building opposite the Otsego House,
+     Main street.
+
+     Mason Gilbert, Hatter, Main street, Oneonta.
+
+     Cooke & Brown, retail dealers in Dry Goods, Groceries,
+     Crockery, Hardware, Iron, Steel, &c., &c. Store under the
+     office of the Oneonta Weekly Journal, Main street, Oneonta.
+
+     Potter C. Burton, dealer in Watches, Clocks, Jewelry. Silver
+     and German Silver Ware, &c., &c. One door north of Cooke &
+     Brown's Store, Main street, Oneonta.
+
+     Timothy Sabin, retail dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries,
+     Crockery, Hardware, Iron, Steel, &c., &c. Store opposite the
+     Oneonta House, Main street, foot of Chestnut, Oneonta.
+
+     Clyde & Cook, retail dealers in Dry Goods, Groceries,
+     Crockery, Hardware, Drugs & Medicines, Dye Woods & Dye
+     Stuffs, &c., &c. Store nearly opposite the Otsego House,
+     Main street, Oneonta.
+
+     Snow & Van Woert, manufacturers of, and wholesale and retail
+     dealers in Tin, Sheet-Iron, and Copper ware, Stoves, &c.,
+     &c. Over Clyde & Cook's Store, Main street, Oneonta.
+
+     C. Noble, manufacturer of, and wholesale and retail dealer
+     in Beach's Patent Shaving Soap, Beach's Liquid Opodeldoc,
+     and Black Varnish, &c., &c. Main street, Oneonta.
+
+     Robert W. Hopkins, manufacturer of, and dealer in Cabinet
+     Ware and Chairs of every description. Chestnut street,
+     Oneonta.
+
+     Cushing & Potter, manufacturers of, and wholesale and retail
+     dealers in Barrels & Firkins, &c., &c. Main st., Oneonta.
+
+     W.W. Snow's Wool Carding and Cloth Dressing Establishment.
+     Opposite E.R. Ford's Store, Main street, Oneonta.
+
+     Bennet & Smith, dealers in Morocco, Boots and Shoes, Thread,
+     Nails, and Findings, &c., &c., Chestnut street, Oneonta,
+     Otsego Co., N.Y.
+
+     George W. Andrews, Chair Maker, and House & Sign Painter,
+     (Chestnut street,) Oneonta, Otsego Co., N.Y.
+
+     C.G. Cross, Waggon and Carriage Maker, Chestnut street,
+     Oneonta.
+
+     E.R. Ford, retail dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries, Crockery,
+     Hardware, Drugs & Medicines, Dye Woods & Dye Stuffs, Iron,
+     Steel, &c., &c., Main street, Oneonta.
+
+[Footnote A: The following advertisement from the "Weekly Journal," of
+July 1, 1841, will show that people were not more honest in former
+times than they are now:
+
+     FENCE IN THE FOG.
+
+     The fence around the Baptist Church in this village, has
+     disappeared very mysteriously during the past winter.
+     Whether _strayed or stolen_ it is not yet definitely
+     ascertained; but from circumstances recently developed, the
+     latter idea seems most conclusive. Rumor says it has been
+     tracked going Westward; but still, as the Church is located
+     on quite an elevated piece of ground, and near the brink of
+     the hill, it is possible that it may have slid off to the
+     Eastward.
+
+     Any person who will give correct information where said
+     fence may be found, or where it was last seen after leaving
+     the premises, will be liberally rewarded by the trustees of
+     the Baptist society. Any person wishing to make any
+     confession in relation to it, may rely upon having profound
+     secrecy maintained by applying soon to _one_ of the Deacons
+     of the Church.
+
+     Oneonta, May 20, 1841.]
+
+From the town book the following copy of the doings of the people, at
+their first town meeting, has been made:
+
+"At an annual town meeting held in the town of Oneonta at the house of
+Thomas D. Alexander, on the 1st day of March, present
+
+     Eliakim R. Ford,} _Justices in_
+     Robert Cook,    } _said town._
+
+"After the opening of the meeting by proclamation, it was resolved,
+
+1st, That there be three assessors elected for said town.
+
+2d, That there be four constables elected for said town.
+
+3d, That there be four pound-masters chosen for said town.
+
+4th, That an amount, equal to the sum which may be distributed to said
+town from the common school fund, be raised by tax for the support of
+common schools in said town.
+
+5th, That the sum of one dollar per day be allowed to the fence
+viewers of said town.
+
+6th, That five per cent. be allowed as the compensation to the
+collector, as his fees for collecting the taxes for said town.
+
+7th, That all circular and partition fences, in said town, shall be at
+least four feet and six inches high.
+
+8th, That widows, who have no land, shall be entitled to let their
+cattle run at large in the public highways, from the first of April to
+the first of December.
+
+9th, That the annual town meeting shall be held on the first Thursday
+of March. The following officers were then elected for the town:
+
+_Supervisor_, William Richardson.
+
+_Town Clerk_, Adam Brown.
+
+                        { John Dillingham,
+_Justices of the peace_ { Jonah Northrup,
+                        { John S. Yager.
+
+            { John Van Woert,
+_Assessors_ { John Fritts,
+            { John T. Quackenboss.
+
+                            { Isaac Shepherd,
+_Commissioners of Highways_ { Asel Marvin,
+                            { William Angel.
+
+_Overseers of the poor_ { George W. Smith,
+                        { Samuel Carpenter.
+
+_Collector_, Hiram Shepherd.
+
+             { Hiram Shepherd,
+_Constables_ { David Sullivan,
+             { Emanuel Northrup,
+             { Robert S. Cook.
+
+                           { Obadiah Gifford,
+_Commissioners of schools_ { Peter Dietz,
+                           { Joseph Walling.
+
+                        { Samuel H. Case,
+_Inspectors of schools_ { Washington Throop,
+                        { Amos Cook.
+
+_Sealer of weights and measures_, Eliakim R. Ford.
+
+                { Beers Peet,
+_Pound-masters_ { Joseph Walling,
+                { William Dietz,
+                { Elisha Shepherd."
+
+In 1835, five years after the organization of the town, the whole
+tax-paying population of Oneonta was 261. The grand total tax-levy of
+the town was $781.48. The amount of public school money raised by the
+town was $100.45. William Angel was supervisor and David Sullivan
+collector for that year.[A]
+
+[Footnote A: No historical sketch of Oneonta would be regarded
+complete that failed to mention another name which no one can recall
+without a feeling of good-will. Dr. David T. Evans was born in
+Washington county, in 1789 and settled here in 1829. He first began
+business as a tailor, but afterwards became a well-known and
+successful farrier. He was a famous story-teller and everybody gave a
+respectful hearing to the Doctor's tales regarding the strange
+characters he had known or heard of. At least two generations of boys
+have grown up and gone out from the village who have listened to his
+stories. Wherever those boys are now--scattered far and wide--they
+recall no scenes or events of their springtime without a remembrance
+of Dr. Evans and his tales, none of which were wanting in pith or
+amusement.]
+
+In 1840, a newspaper was established here which was thereafter
+conducted by Wm. J. Knapp for about two years when, owing to poor
+health, Mr. Knapp was compelled to discontinue its publication. It
+was the "Oneonta Weekly Journal."
+
+The growth of the village of Oneonta from 1840 to 1850 must have been
+very slow. The building of a house in those days was an act of no
+little importance. For ten years there were but few dwellings erected,
+and those few were of a cheap and inferior class. The population
+hardly kept pace with the building. The young went west, and the
+number of families that moved out was about equal to the number that
+moved in.
+
+From 1850 to 1860 there was but little building and but a small
+increase in population. There are no accessible figures showing the
+population of the village at the different decades, but the census
+returns for the town may be taken as safe guides in forming an
+estimate of the village population at different periods. In 1830, when
+the town was organized, it contained a population of eleven hundred
+and forty-nine. In 1840 it had increased to nineteen hundred and
+thirty-six. In 1850 it had slightly decreased, then being nineteen
+hundred and two. In 1855 it was twenty-one hundred and sixty-seven.
+These are the figures for the town. If the village population had
+increased in the same ratio, it could not have been far from two
+hundred and fifty when the town was formed in 1830. It is hardly fair
+to infer that the village ratio of increase was quite equal to that
+of the town. The western emigration was made up more largely from the
+village than from the farms. The same cause--lack of profitable
+employment--that has transferred the young men of New England from the
+plow to the manufacturing centres, transferred our young men from a
+place where no industry was encouraged, to remote but wider fields of
+usefulness.
+
+In 1851 the Albany & Susquehanna railroad company was organized and
+chartered. Samuel S. Beach and Woodbury K. Cooke drew up the first
+notice of the railroad project and at the same time drew up a notice
+of a meeting to be held in Oneonta for the purpose of enlisting the
+interest of capitalists in the proposed road. These notices Messrs.
+Cooke and Beach caused to be printed and distributed at their own
+expense. This meeting resulted in the formation of the Albany &
+Susquehanna railroad company. High hopes of its speedy completion were
+then entertained. But could its projectors have forseen the
+difficulties and obstacles that they had to overcome, and the length
+of time that elapsed before the road was built to Oneonta, they would
+have wearied of the project and abandoned the enterprise. The road was
+completed to this place in 1865--a little more than fourteen years
+after the organization of the company.
+
+An improved appearance was at once given the village. New stores and
+new dwellings were built. Old, weather-stained buildings were
+brightened with paint, and the Dutch stoop with its half doors gave
+place to more pretentious verandas.
+
+Then about 1872 the machine shops were established here, and the
+village began to increase rapidly, and new industries were developed.
+
+In 1860, there was but one newspaper published in the village. That
+was the HERALD, which had been established in 1853 by L.P.
+Carpenter, and his brother, J.B. Carpenter--the former now of the
+Morris Chronicle. L.P. continued the publication of the paper, as
+editor and proprietor, for a long time, and at last succeeded in
+gaining for his journal a firm foothold in the community. He labored
+early and late at the work that was before him--editor, compositor and
+pressman--often beset with discouragements, always feebly supported in
+his efforts, but still hopeful and plucky. He could hardly, in 1860,
+have dreamed that within twenty years, steam presses would be brought
+into the same village to follow in the wake of the clumsy press whose
+only motive power was his own strong arm. But few of our citizens can
+now justly appreciate the obligation the community is under to Mr.
+Carpenter for the large part of his life-work which he here so
+unostentatiously performed.
+
+In 1860 there was no bank here, and merchants were compelled to adopt
+a round-about way of making exchanges with their creditors. Money was
+sent miles away, by the stage-driver, or by special messenger, to a
+bank where at a round premium a draft was bought. The stores of the
+village had each a general assortment of merchandise, including silks,
+broadcloths, groceries, plows, and schoolbooks. On either side of
+Main-st. was a hard-beaten path, which served for a sidewalk. On the
+south side of the street stood a number of dingy rookeries, in a half
+tumble-down condition. Pigs and cows roamed at large, and were only
+known to be home at supper-time, when old brindle, in more instances
+than one, might have been seen peering through the front window with a
+covetous look upon the family group around the table.
+
+Marked improvements are now to be observed in every direction. With
+the multiplication of industries, and the introduction of new ones,
+calling for the outlay of more capital and the employment of more
+labor, the growth of the village, in population and wealth, bids fair
+to continue. A comparison of figures is, at least, encouraging. In
+1860, Oneonta was a thriftless hamlet with only about six hundred
+inhabitants. It is now a thriving village with a population of over
+four thousand.
+
+
+
+
+_CHAPTER IV._
+
+
+Calvin Eaton, one of the first settlers about West Oneonta, settled on
+the farm now owned by Isaac Holmes. He came from Wyoming, Pa., date
+uncertain. He was a famous story-teller. Many of his stories have been
+preserved by tradition, and are now told in the neighborhood with
+great zest. His wife, familiarly known as Aunt Olive Eaton, died about
+1844 or 1845, at a very advanced age, he having died many years
+before. They brought up several of their nephews and nieces, having no
+children of their own, William Holmes, father of Isaac Holmes, being
+one of them.
+
+Elder Emanuel Northrup, a Baptist minister, settled on the farm now
+owned by his grandson, Isaac Northrup, about 1794. He came originally,
+it is believed, from Rhode Island. He had lived in Connecticut, but
+came last from Stephentown, Rensselaer-co. His son, Josiah Northrup,
+who was afterwards a justice of the peace for many years, having been
+elected at the first town meeting, a prominent man in town affairs and
+a leading member of the Baptist church, was, at the time of his
+father's coming, about fourteen years of age; he died in 1844.
+
+The farm now occupied by the Niles family was settled by Abner Mack, a
+Rhode Island man. He sold a part of his possession, what is now the
+Niles farm, in 1797, to Nathaniel Niles; there were two of the name,
+father and son, the father being the purchaser. He was at that time
+about seventy years of age; he brought with him some apple seeds,
+planted a nursery, raised trees, set out an orchard, and lived to
+drink cider made from the apples. The orchard became quite famous in
+the neighborhood, and was known to all the boys for miles around; many
+of the trees are yet bearing. Upon the death of the father, his son,
+Nathaniel Niles, who had occupied the farm with his father, became the
+owner, who lived upon the farm until his death in 1852, at
+eighty-seven years of age.
+
+Franklin Strait, another of the early settlers, came from Rhode Island
+in 1797; he brought his family, and drove an ox-team. He first settled
+on the farm now owned by Enos Thayer, where he lived until 1808, when
+he exchanged his farm with Asa Thayer, another of the early comers,
+for the property at West Oneonta where the hotel now stands. He
+enlarged the house that then stood upon the ground, took out a
+license, and opened "Strait's Tavern," on the Oxford turnpike, one of
+the old landmarks for many years; he died in 1822. Two of his sons,
+Rufus and Alvinza Strait, are now living. Before this property had
+come into the possession of Thayer, it had been occupied by Daniel
+Lawrence, father of Lewis Lawrence, of Utica, and where Lewis Lawrence
+was born.
+
+Robert Cook settled early upon the farm owned at present by Hammond
+Cook. At the time of his coming the Indians were yet frequent
+visitors. One day, as the story is, Cook was at work in the field, his
+wife being alone in the house, an Indian called, and finding her
+alone, brandished his knife, and made some terrible threats,
+frightening her almost to death. Just at this time Cook appeared; the
+Indian took his departure precipitately. Cook seized his gun and
+pursued him. He returned after a little time, and the Indian never
+troubled them more.
+
+The place where Daniel Hodge now lives was first occupied by Samuel
+Stephen. His father John Stephen, made a settlement at Laurens before
+the Revolutionary war.
+
+The Sleepers were from near Burlington, New Jersey. During the war
+they became alarmed at the inroads of the tories and Indians, and
+returned to New Jersey. On their way back, they passed through Cherry
+Valley the day before the massacre. They returned to the settlement
+after the war. John Sleeper had several sons. One, Nehemiah Sleeper,
+built a mill below Laurens on the Otego creek, which was afterwards
+known as Boyd's mill. Samuel Sleeper took up several hundred acres of
+land, of which the farms of Daniel Hodge and Horace White formed a
+part. He built a grist-mill and saw-mill on the Otego creek, just
+below the covered bridge, this side (east) of West Oneonta. He was
+said to have been an active business man, and was quite a noted
+surveyor. He sold his property after some years to one David Smith,
+and went to Stroudsburgh, Pa., and thence to Ohio. His oldest son,
+Ephraim Sleeper, married Jane Niles, daughter of Nathaniel Niles, and
+remained in the neighborhood. The latter died about twelve years ago
+at West Oneonta, at an advanced age.
+
+Other persons are mentioned by the old residents as being among the
+early settlers. Samuel Green occupied a part of the farm now owned by
+Joseph Bull. A man named Ticknor, another part of the same farm. One
+Ogden lived where Joseph Taber now lives, about whom a few stories are
+current in the neighborhood. At one time a company of Indians was
+encamped at the mouth of the Otego creek, engaged in making baskets
+and trinkets of various kinds. Ogden visited them for the purpose of
+getting a pair of silver shoe-buckles made by an Indian who was
+skilled in the art. It so happened that he had not silver enough to
+make the buckles. Two or three of the Indians left suddenly, and
+after having been absent a short time, returned, bringing a handful of
+silver. Ogden inferred from this that there must be a silver mine not
+far away, but he was never able to find it.--A deer[A] often came
+around his house; he shot at it repeatedly, but was unable to hit it.
+An old woman lived not far away, who was called a witch; he finally
+suspected that she had something to do with the deer; he procured a
+silver bullet, which he put in his gun, and next time the deer
+appeared he fired at it, wounding it badly, but it escaped; he soon
+learned, however, that the old woman was badly hurt.[B]
+
+[Footnote A: The same story is told of other hunters and other
+witches.]
+
+[Footnote B: The author is indebted to Mr. N.N. Bull for the sketch
+relating to West Oneonta.]
+
+
+
+
+_CHAPTER V._
+
+
+The first church organization in town was effected by the
+Presbyterians. The first meeting was held at the house of Fredrick
+Brown, January 24, 1800, when John Houghtaling, Henry Scramling, John
+VanDer Werker and James Dietz were chosen elders; William Morenus,
+David Scramling, Aaron Barnes, and James Quackenbush were chosen as
+deacons. The following are the names of the ministers of the church
+with dates of service: Wm. Fisher, 1823-33; Wm. Clark, 1833-37; Jos.
+W. Paddock, 1837-42; Fordyce Harrington, 1843-45; Gaius M. Blodgett,
+1845.--[Reorganization.] Eliphalet M. Spencer, 1849-52; Wm. B.
+Christopher, 1852-54; Wm. Baldwin, 1854-62; Geo. O. Phelps, 1863-69;
+H.H. Allen, 1869--.
+
+The next church organization was by the Methodist Episcopals. The
+first steps towards forming the society were taken by Nathan Bennett,
+Silas Washburn, David T. Evans, David Fairchild, and David T. Clark.
+This society had no house of worship for many years, and held their
+meetings in the village school house. The first church edifice was
+built in 1844. In 1868-69 a new and large meeting house was built and
+finished at a cost of $12,000. Rev. George Elliott and Rev. Wm.
+McDonald were the first preachers. Subsequent ministers have been:
+Rev. C.G. Robinson, 1854-56; Rev. W.G. Queal, 1856-58; Rev. S.M.
+Stone, 1858-59; Rev. D.L. Pendell, 1859-61; Rev. Geo. Parsons,
+1861-63; Rev. P.Y. Hughston, 1863-65; Rev. H.N. Van Dusen, 1865-67;
+Rev. R.W. Peebles, 1867-70; Rev. Austin Griffin, 1870-72; Rev. I.N.
+Pardee, 1872-75; Rev. W.B. Westlake, 1875-78; Rev. Y.Z. Smith,
+1878-79; Rev. A.B. Richardson, 1879-82; Rev. D.C. Olmstead, 1882--.
+
+The First Baptist society was organized April 6, 1833. At a meeting
+called for that purpose, David Yager was chosen moderator and James
+Slade clerk. April 24, 1833, a council was held, of which Elder Alex.
+Smith, of Franklin, was moderator, and Elder Kingsley, of Meredith,
+clerk. The pastors have been Rev. D.B. Crane, 1833-35; Rev. John
+Smith, 1836-48; Rev. H. Clark, 1848-49; Rev. A.B. Earle, 1849-53; Rev.
+E. Westcott, 1854-57; Rev. John Smith, 1858-65; Rev. A. Reynolds,
+1865-70; Rev. Geo. R. Burnside, 1871-74; Rev. H. Brotherton, 1874-80;
+Rev. P.D. Root, 1880-82; Rev. E.D. Clough, 1883--.
+
+The Free Baptist church society was formed at the Emmons school house
+Feb. 25, 1856.[A] The council consisted of Rev. A. Wing, D. Green,
+O.T. Moulton, and laymen Joseph Jenks and Harvey Mackey. The meeting
+house was built in 1857. The pastors have been, Rev. O.T. Moulton,
+1856-61; Rev. H. Strickland, 1862; Rev. E. Crowel, 1864-68; Rev. G.P.
+Ramsey, 1868-72; Rev. O.T. Moulton, 1872-75; Rev. Peter Scramling,
+1875; Rev. M.C. Brown, 1875-78; Rev. D.C. Wheeler, 1878; Rev. David
+Boyd, 1880-83; Rev. C.A. Gleason, 1883--.
+
+[Footnote A: A Free Baptist church had been built at the Plains many
+years before.]
+
+The first Episcopal services were held in 1839, by the Rev. Andrew
+Hall, a missionary to Oneonta and Otego. At first the society met in
+the school-house of the village, and afterwards built a chapel on the
+lot now occupied by a part of the Central Hotel. The clergy have been
+as follows: Rev. Andrew Hall, 1839; Rev. Stephen Parker, 1855; Rev.
+D.S. Tuttle, 1864-65; Rev. E.N. Goddard, 1865; Rev. Mr. Foote and Rev.
+Mr. Ferguson, 1866-67; Rev. Mr. Lighthipe, 1870; Rev. Mr. Fitzgerald,
+1873-74; Rev. J.H. Smith, 1874; Rev. J.B. Colhoun, 1875-78; Rev. J.B.
+Hubbs, 1880-81; Rev. C.D. Flagler, 1882.--The society was organized
+under the name of St. James church, April 7, 1870.
+
+The "First Universalist Society of Oneonta" was formed Dec. 12, 1877.
+The meeting house was built in 1878-79. The pastors have been Rev.
+L.F. Porter, 1877-81; Rev. H. Kirke White, 1882--.
+
+The Catholic society now numbers about three hundred. Services have
+been conducted heretofore by Rev. J.J. Brosnahan, of Cobleskill, till
+July, 1883, when the Bishop created a new parish at this place and
+appointed Rev. James H. Maney (of St. Mary's Church, Albany), who is
+now the resident pastor. The parish under the charge of the Rev. Mr.
+Maney extends from the Cooperstown Junction to the Harpersville
+Tunnel. This society is about to erect a church edifice on a lot
+already purchased for that purpose.
+
+The "Oneonta Union School" was organized in 1867. The sum of $5,000
+was first voted for the purpose of building a schoolhouse, and
+afterwards the sum was increased to $7,500. The building was finished
+and school opened in 1868 with Wilber F. Saxton as principal. Mr.
+Saxton resigned his position in 1870, and was then succeeded by
+Nathaniel N. Bull as principal. In 1873 the needs of the school were
+met by the building of a smaller schoolhouse in the lower part of the
+district. In 1874 and in 1880 the main school building was enlarged to
+accommodate the increased attendance of scholars. An academic
+department was organized in 1874. The school is attended by about six
+hundred pupils, and twelve teachers are employed. Mr. Bull is still
+the efficient principal, and his labor is shared by competent
+assistants.
+
+The business industries and enterprises of the village consist of a
+number of large dry goods and clothing stores, several shoe stores,
+nearly a dozen grocery and provision stores, two or three bakeries,
+confectionery establishments, flour and feed stores, several builders'
+machine shops, three saw mills, three grist mills, furniture stores,
+three large hardware stores, the railroad machine shops, round-houses,
+carriage factories, coopers' and blacksmith shops, three drug stores,
+two well-equipped printing offices, each of which issues a carefully
+edited and well patronized newspaper--_Herald and Democrat_ and
+_Oneonta Press_. There are two banks--the "Wilber National" and "The
+First National"--both of which are doing a large business and are
+under prudent management. There are a dozen or more lawyers and as
+many physicians. Three roomy hotels care for and furnish entertainment
+to the way-faring public, and another hotel is in course of
+construction.
+
+The village is rapidly growing, and new industries are multiplying. A
+desirable water power could be furnished to drive the wheels of a
+large manufactory--a subject that must sooner or later attract the
+attention of some capitalist. Well-shaded streets and well-kept
+roadways add to the attractions of the village, while its
+surroundings of cultivated fields--of hill-side and plain--of wooded
+slopes and mountains--render the scenery as grand and diversified as
+can be found in the Susquehanna valley.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+ESTABLISHED 1853.
+
+HERALD AND DEMOCRAT.
+
+ONEONTA, N.Y.
+
+A REPUBLICAN NEWSPAPER,
+
+Devoted to the interests of Otsego County, of the Second Assembly
+District, and of Oneonta in particular.
+
+The most thorough local and general newspaper in the county.
+
+PUBLISHED WEEKLY AT _$1.50 Per Year!_
+
+BY
+
+YAGER & FAIRCHILD.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+W.L. & R. BROWN,
+
+--DEALERS IN--
+
+HARDWARE!
+
+STOVES, RANGES,
+
+_ENGLISH, GERMAN & AMERICAN_
+
+CUTLERY,
+
+Tin, Copper and Sheet-Iron Ware.
+
+PLUMBING AND GAS FITTING.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Edwin P. Chapman,
+
+_THE JEWELER._
+
+Diamonds, Watches, Clocks,
+
+JEWELRY, SPECTACLES,
+
+SOLID SILVER AND PLATED WARE,
+
+GUNS, REVOLVERS, CARTRIDGES,
+
+CUTLERY, MUSICAL GOODS,
+
+Toys, Fancy Goods, &c., &c.
+
+
+Fine Watch, Clock and Jewelry Repairing a Specialty.
+
+EDWIN P. CHAPMAN,
+
+ONEONTA AND UNADILLA.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+WILBER NATIONAL BANK
+
+ESTABLISHED 1874.
+
+
+DAVID WILBER, President,
+
+  D.F. WILBER, Vice-President,
+
+    GEO. I. WILBER, Cashier,
+
+      E.A. SCRAMLING, Ass't Cashier.
+
+_AUTHORIZED CAPITAL_,
+
+$300,000.
+
+Capital Stock Paid in, $100,000.00
+Surplus Fund,            49,000.00
+
+
+Amount of Deposits reported for Quarter ending October 2, 1883,
+$452,948.10.
+
+
+While the business of this Bank is conducted in a safe and economical
+manner, the managers aim to please and protect their customers.
+
+The patronage of the public is respectfully solicited.
+
+BANKING HOURS: From 10 to 12 a.m., and from 1*
+
+[*Transcriber's Note: remainder of text missing from original.]
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF ONEONTA***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 16195.txt or 16195.zip *******
+
+
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/1/9/16195
+
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit:
+https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
diff --git a/16195.zip b/16195.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0f216d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/16195.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..155cff6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #16195 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16195)