USA > New York > Fulton County > Gazetteer and business directory of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. for 1869-70 > Part 14
USA > New York > Montgomery County > Gazetteer and business directory of Montgomery and Fulton counties, N.Y. for 1869-70 > Part 14
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Stone Ridge is a hamlet of about a dozen houses in the north- east part of the town.
Currytown, located near the center of the town, about three miles south-east of Spraker's Basin, contains a Reformed church and about twenty dwellings. The society was organized about 1790 and the church edifice erected about 1806. The present membership is about seventy.
Flat Creek, (p. v.) located on the creck from which it takes its name, contains a F. W. Baptist church, a hotel, a saw and feed mill, a cheese factory, a tannery, a blacksmith shop, a shoe shop, a school house and fifteen dwellings. The cheese factory is owned by a stock company, uses the milk of 700 cows and turns out about 100,000 pounds of cheese annually. The church was erected and the society organized in 1860 with about twenty members. The present membership is abont thirty.
Brown's Hollow, in the south-east part of the town, on Flat Creek, contains a hotel, a store, a grist mill, a saw mill, a lath mill, a blacksmith shop, a shoe shop, a cabinet shop, a tannery and about a dozen dwellings. The saw mill runs one upright and two circular saws. The grist mill contains three runs of stones.
Bundy's Corners, about a mile east of Brown's Hollow, contains a store and half a dozen dwellings. It received its name from Stephen Bundy, who first kept a store and hotel here.
Lyker's Corners, about one and a half miles east of Brown's Hollow, contains a store, a carriage and wagon shop, a cooper shop and about a dozen dwellings.
About three-fourths of a mile south of Spraker's Basin, on Flat Creek, is located the saw mill. cider mill and cheese box factory of P. S. Wiers. The factory turns out about 10,000 cheese boxes annually.
The Cheese Factory of J. P. Van Evera is located in the east part of the town, about one and a half miles south-east of Yates- ville, and turns out about 3,500 pounds of cheese annually.
The Sun Mill of J. Kilmartin is located on Fly Creek, in the south-east part of the town, and that of D. Dunkle is on the
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
same stream. The saw mill of C. A. Diefendorf is about half a mile east of Lyker's Corners.
Christman's Saw Mill is on East Creek, in the east part of the town, and contains an upright and two circular saws.
The Methodist Church at Root Center was organized about 1860 with about twenty members. The present membership is about forty.
Andrew Hibbard, now residing near Flat Creek, is one of the oldest residents of the town, being eighty-five years of age. Ile has resided for fifty-seven years on the place he now occupies, is hale and hearty, subscribing for this work, and writing his own name without glasses and with the book on his knee. Mr. Win. B. Dievendorff has been in the dairy business since 1836. and is now the oldest dairyman living in the County. Mr. Mitchell, now deceased, was the first in the County to engage in dairying, which was in 1835.
On East Creek, about two miles south of Currytown, Mr. Ja- cob H. Dievendorff has a saw mill, a cheese box factory,'a plan- ing mill, a lath, shingle and broom handle factory. The saw mill is run by water, carrying an upright and a circular saw. The other machinery is run by steam. About 15,000 broom handles and 2,500 cheese boxes are made annually.
The first settlers of this town were Jacob Dievendorff at Cur- rytown, Rudolph Keller, David and Fred. Luce, and Jacob Lain- ner. Like the other towns in the Mohawk Valley, Root suffered from the incursions of the Indians and Tories. The principal incursion was made in July 1781 by a Tory named Doxtader, and fell with the greatest severity upon Currytown. The whole force, consisting of about 500 Indians and a few Tories, emerged stealthily from the forest about noon of the 9th of July, and with torch and tomahawk commenced the work of destruction. Most of the settlers, unsuspicious of danger, were at work in their fields. The house of Henry Lewis was picketed and used for a fort. and on the first alarm those nearest sought shelter therein. while others fled to the woods. Among the sufferers were the Dievendorff's, Kellers, Myerses, Bellingers, Tanners and Lewises. Jacob Dievendorff, Sen., escaped, but his son Frederick was over- taken on his way to the Fort, tomahawked and scalped. After Iving insensible for some time he was picked up by his uncle .. Mr. Keller, who carried him into the Fort. He recovered and lived several years, when he was killed by the fall of a tru. Jacob Jun., a negro named Jacob, two lads named Bellinga. Mary Miller, a girl ten or twelve years old, Jacob MIvers and Fi- son, and two others, were captured. The Indians phundered atot burned all the dwellings but the Fort and a house belonging to a Tory, about a dozen in all, and either killed or drove away
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
most of the cattle in the neighborhood. After completing the work of destruction the enemy started off in the direction of New Dorlach, now Sharon, with their prisoners and booty.
Col. Willett was at Fort Plain when the attack was made. Ile had on the previous day sent out a scout of thirty or forty men, under Capt. Gross, to procure forage and watch the move- ments of the enemy. When near Sharon Springs they discov- ered a portion of the camp of the enemy in a cedar swamp. Col. Willett received information of this at the same time that a dense smoke was discovered in the direction of Currytown. Captain MeKean was innediately dispatched with a small force and arrived in time to assist in extinguishing the flames of some of the buildings. Col. Willett in the meantime rallied as many of the militia as possible, and presuming that the enemy would camp at the same place as the previous night, and having been joined by the forces of McKean and Gross, determined to attack the enemy at midnight in their encampment. Col. Willett's whole force did not exceed one hundred and fifty effective men, while that of the enemy was double this number. The night was dark and the dense forest that surrounded the swamp was only penetrated by a bridle path. The guide became bewilder- ed and it was six o'clock in the morning before he came in sight of the enemy, who had now taken a more advantageous position. Not wishing to attack him at such a disadvantage, Col. Willett sent forward a detachment from the main body, which he had stationed in the form of a crescent on a ridge near by. This detachment advanced, delivered their fire and retreat- ed, followed by the enemy who were met by Willett with the main body. A desperate fight ensued for a short time when the Indians broke and fled, but kept np a fire from behind the trees and rocks. Willett and his men pursued them until they gave up the fight and fled precipitately towards the Susque- hanna, leaving their camp and all their plunder behind. They left forty dead upon the field, while the American loss was only five killed and nine wounded.
Among the wounded on the American side was the brave MeKean, who was carried from the fieldl by his friends. Con- scious that he could not long survive, he expressed a desire to be buried in front of Fort Plain. Before reaching that place he expired and was buried temporarif at Fort Clyde. About a vear afterwards his remains were removed to Fort Plain and deposited in front of the Fort. as he had requested. Captain MeKean was born in Londonderry, New Hampshire, previous to the French and Indian war in which he was engaged. He was taken prisoner by the Indians, and after remaining for a short time, was informed by the squaws, who felt some interest
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109
in his welfare, that he was to be burned at the stake the next day. Accordingly he was taken out, where he beheld the fag- gots prepared for the occasion. Some of the younger and less brave of the Indians began to taunt, kick and cuff him. where- upon he retaliated and Jaid several of them sprawling upon the ground. This exhibition of pluck and bravery so pleased some of the old braves that they laughed heartily, and after a short consultation concluded that he was too brave to burn. He was kindly treated after this and finally escaped or was released. He was one of the bravest of the brave and did good service for his country.
At the time of the attack the Indians had placed most of their prisoners on horses stolen from Currytown, and had left a strong guard with them. When they were about to retreat, fearing a recapture of prisoners and a consequent loss of scalps, they he- gan to murder and scalp them. Jacob Dievendorff leaped from his horse and ran towards the swamp, but was overtaken by a savage, knocked down, scalped and left for dead. A detachment of militia under Col. Veeder was sent out after the battle to bury the dead, and fortunately discovered young Dievendorff strug- gling among the leaves. He was taken to Fort Plain, and under the care of Dr. Faught, a German physician of Stone Arabia, he was restored to health. It was five years before his head was perfectly healed. He died in 1854 at the age of 85, one of the wealthiest farmers in the valley. Mary Miller was.found sealped and alive but survived only a short time. Most of the cattle were abandoned and found their way back to their owners. Mr. Lossing, while collecting material for the . Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution," in 1848, visited the venerable old patriot. Jacob Dievendorff, and thus describes him, "We found the old patriot busily engaged in his barn threshing grain ; and although nearly eighty years of age he seemed almost as vigorous and av- tive as most are at sixty. His sight and hearing are somewhat defective, but his intellect as exhibited by his clear remembrance of the circumstances of his carly life, had lost but little of it. strength. He is one of the largest land-holders in Montgomery County, owning one thousand fertile acres, lying in a sing! . tract, where the scenes of the suffering of his early life occurred. In an orchard, a short distance from his dwelling, the house sas still standing which was stockaded and used as a fort. It i. g . decaving, but the venerable owner allows time alone to work :. destruction, and will not suffer a board to be taken from n." The remains of Jacob Dievendorff repose in the family cemetery with those of his father, while his descendants still occupy the fertile fields which he formerly cultivated.
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
The population of the town in 1865 was 2,456, and its area 31,652 acres.
ST. JOHNSVILLE, named from St. John's church, erected in the village at an early day, was formed from Oppen- heim, Fulton County, April 18, 1838. It lies upon the north bank of the Mohawk, on the west border of the County. Its surface consists of the broad river flats, and a broken upland gradually rising north of it. The principal streams are East Canada, Crum, Fox, Zimmerman's, Caldwell and Mother Creeks. Upon East Canada Creek, about one and a half miles from its mouth, are a succession of falls and rapids, descending 75 feet in a distance of 80 rods. The soil is a fine quality of gravelly loam.
St. Johnsville, (p. v.) on the Mohawk, was incorporated in 1857. It is a station on the N. Y. C. R. R. and contained in 1865, 1,004 inhabitants. For several years most of the trains on the railroad stopped here for refreshments, but within a few years the large hotel and depot have been burned and the former has not been rebuilt.
St. Johnsville Woolen Mills are located on Zimmerman Creek, in the north-west part of the village. They were erected in 1840 by Hough, Riggs & Adams, and were afterwards purchased and run by Winegar & Yonker, of whom they were purchased by Sidney Smith & Son, the present proprietors. New ma- chinery has been put into the mills and the proprietors are now engaged in the manufacture of a great variety of first-class goods for the home market exclusively.
St. Johnsville Agricultural Works, owned by Mr. M. Williams, manufacture thrashers, horse powers, cleaners, straw cutters and various other implements of use to the farmer.
This town was settled previous to the Revolution, but the pre- cise date is not known. The first settlers were Germans, and among them were families named Hellebralt, Waters, Getman, Van Riepen, Walrath and Klock. The first settlement at the village was made by Jacob Zimmerman in 1776. During the Revolution the house of Christian Klock, three-fourths of a mile west of Palatine Church, was stockaded and named Fort House, in honor of Christian House, the builder. The house of Jacob Zimmerman was also stockaded. Though these forts were attacked they were never taken. Fort Hill, situated on an eminence east of East Creek, was erected during the French War. It was subsequently repaired and used during the Revo- Intion.
The population of the town in 1865 was 2,153, and its area 11,442 acres.
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GAZETTEER OF TOWNS.
The battle between the forces of Sir John Johnson and the advanced guard of Van Rensselaer's army, under Colonel Du- bois, was fought at " Klock's Field," near "Fort House," Oet. 19, 1780. Had this battle been followed up, Sir John and his whole force might probably have been captured, but the General ordered his forces to fall back about three miles, intending to renew the battle in the morning. The golden opportunity had passed. 'Taking advantage of the darkness, Sir John and his force had escaped. The next morning, while the main army was crossing the river, some of Mckean's volunteers, in strolling about, found a block house where nine of the enemy were held prisoners. On being asked how they came there, Peter Cass. one of the prisoners, who had previously lived in Johnstown. said : "Why, I am ashamed to tell. Last night, after the bat- tle, we crossed the river. It was dark. We heard the word, ' lay down your arms.' Some of us did so. We were taken. nine of us, and marched into this little fort by seven militia men. We formed the rear of three hundred of Johnson's Greens, who were running promiscuously through and over one another. I thought General Van Rennesselaer's whole army was upon us. Why did you not take us prisoners yesterday af- ter Sir John ran off with the Indians and left us. We wanted to surrender." Thus it appears that if there had been a dispo- sition to "push things," Sir John and his whole army might have been captured. The Indians continued to prowl around the settlement during the war, occasionally shooting or captur- ing one of the inhabitants. In the spring of 1780 Philip Hel- mer deserted to the enemy. He had previously been paying his addresses to a daughter of Philip Bellinger, and upon a plan be- ing formed to take the family of the latter prisoners, he fore- warned them in time to rally a party to their assistance. An ambuscade was formed and the Indians would have been killed or captured had it not been for the indiscretion of one of the party, who, upon their approach, yelled out at the top of his voice, " Lord God Almighty, friends. here they are !" Alarmed at this demonstration, the Indians fled with a loss of only one of their number.
As early as 1:56 a church was erected by Christan Klock .. Rev. Mr. Rosekrantz was the first preacher, and John Hurt Disland was the second. A German school was taught by Hosty Haves at an early day. The first English school was tangle Lot Ryan, an Irishman. in 1992. Christopher Nellis kopt inn in 1783, and a store in 1801. Jacob Zimmerman buil: first grist mill. during the Revolution, and George Klock the second, in 1801.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY PRESS.
MONTGOMERY CO. PRESS.
The first newspaper in the County was established at Fort Plain in 1827 by S. M. S. Gant, and called the
Fort Plain Watch Tower. In 1829 it was published by John Calhoun, and in 1830 it was published by -- Platt, who changed its name to
The Fort Plain Sentinel.
The Fort Plain Gazette was started in 1834 by Henry L. Gross, who continued its publication until 1836.
The Fort Plain Journal was started in 1836 by E. W. Gill. The next year Mr. H. Link took the editorial charge of the paper and was succeeded December 12. 1836, by Henry Rosebaum. On the 4th of September 1838 Mr. P. G. Webster took charge of the paper, and May 1st, 1839, placed the name of Winfield Scott at the head of its columns as the candidate for the presidency. This is supposed to be the first nomination of that distinguished general for the presidency. Mr. Webster continued the publi- cation of the paper until the close of the campaign of 1840, when he was succeeded by David Smith. On the 3d of February 1841 the paper passed into the hands of Levi S. Backus, a deaf mute, and its name was changed to
The Montgomery Phonix. D. F. Young was the editor. Mr. Backus continued the publication of the paper until 1854, when he sold out to Wendell & Stansel, who changed the name to
The Mohawk Valley Register. In 1855 Mr, Stansel sold out his interest to Dr. D. S. Kellogg. In June 1856 Dr. Kellogg withdrew and his place was taken by C. W. Webster. In 1558 Mr. Wendell sold his interest to J. Q. A. Crounse. and in 1859 Mr. Crounse sold his interest to Charles Bradbury. In ISa) the present editor and proprietor succeeded Mr. Bradbury, and the firm became Webster & Matthewson. In 1861 Mr. Matthew- son entered the army, and after serving three years and nine months, returned, and in July 1865 purchased Mr. Webster's interest and changed the name to the
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY PRESS.
MOHAWK VALLEY REGISTER AND FORT PLAIN JOURNAL. Since Mr. Matthewson became the editor and pro- prietor of the paper it has twice been enlarged and now ranks among the first-class weeklies of the State, and has a circulation of 1500 copies.
The Tocsin was published for a short time by HI. Link, at Fort Plain.
The Lutheran Herald, semi-monthly, was published in 1839 by W. L. Fish.
The Students Gleaner, by the students of Fort Plain High School, was issued from the Journal office for a short time.
The Mohawk Valley Gazette was published at Canajoharie by W. H. Riggs, from 1847 to 1849.
The Montgomery Union was published at Canajoharie by W. S. Hawley, from 1850 to 1853.
The Mohawk Advertiser, published at Amsterdam by Darius Wells, was changed to
The Intelligencer and Mohawk Advertiser in 1834. In 1835 i. was published by John J. Davis, with L. HI. Nichols, editor. In 1836 it was published by S. B. Marsh, and after several changes of publishers it was issued in 1854 as
THE AMSTERDAM RECORDER and published by H. Hos- ward. It subsequently passed into the hands of A. Z. Netf. t. present proprietor, and is now edited by C. P. Winegar.
The Mohawk Gazette was published at Amsterdam by Josiah A. Nooman, in 1833-4.
The Fondo. Herald was issued by J. Reynolds, Jr., in 1897.
The Fonda Sentinel was begun in 1842. It was subsequently published by Clark & Thayer. In 1864 it was purchased by (. B. Freeman, the proprietor of the
Mohawk Volley American, and united with that paper, the name being changed to
MOHAWK VALLEY DEMOCRAT. It is now published br C. B. Freeman and is the only Democratic paper in Mont- gomery County.
The Limerican Star was commenced at Canajoharie, April :. 1855, by Wm. S. Hawley. It was removed to Fonda, Mas 1. 1855. In 1856 it was changed to
The Mohawk Valley American and published by C. B. Fr ... man. In 1858 this name was changed to
The American Star, and the paper was published by A : Hawley. the original proprietor. The paper subsequently 1 . into the hands of C. B. Freeman and assumed its former !. : and was published by Freeman until 1864, when it was Her in the Mohawk Valley Democrat.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY PRESS.
The Montgomery Whig was started October 24, 1839, by Fla- vius J. Mills. It was a five column paper, printed on a sheet 22 by 32. On the 10th day of March, 1840, Mr. Mills was suc- ceeded by Benjamin F. Pinkham. On the 16th of March, 1841, T. R. Horton purchased the establishment. In 1856 he changed the name to
THE MONTGOMERY REPUBLICAN and conducted the paper until the 22d of July, 1862, when he entered the army, relinguishing the management of the paper to his brother, J. W. Horton, who published it until Aug. Ist, 1864, when T. R .. Horton, its present editor and publisher again took charge of it. The paper has been enlarged from time to time and is now one of the largest local papers in this section of the State.
The Mohawk Farmer was published at Caughnawaga at an early period.
The Canajoharie Telegraph was published by Henry Hoogh- kirk in 1825-6.
The Canajoharie Sentinel was published in 1827; Samuel Caldwell, editor.
The Canajohurie Republican was published in 1827-8; Henry Bloomer, editor. It was subsequently edited by John McVean and D. F. Sacia.
The Montgomery Argus was published by J. McVean in 1831-2, and subsequently by S. M. S. Gant until 1836.
The Canajoharie Investigator was published from 1833 to 1836, by Andrew H. Calhoun.
The Radit was commenced in 1837 by Levi S. Backus, a deaf mute; in November, 1810, the office was burned and the paper was removed to Fort Plain. In 1854 it was removed to Madi- son County, but subsequently returned to Fort Plain. For several years the State made an appropriation of $200 a year for sending the paper to deaf mutes. It was subsequently removed to Canajoharie and published as the
Canajoharie Radii. On the first of January, 1863, the paper passed into the hands of James Arkell, and on the 30th of April of the same year the paper was enlarged and assumed the name of the
CANAJOHARIE RADHI AND TAX-PAVERS JOURNAL. Mr. J. F. Allen also took an interest in ir, and it was published by Arkell & Allen until Jan. 1st, 1866, when Arkell sold his in- terest to Angell Matthewson. On the first of May, 1868, Mr. Allen purchased Matthewson's interest, and in November of the same year, Alvin J. Plank purchased an interest, since which the paper has been published by L. F. Allen & Co.
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AMSTERDAM.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
EXPLANATIONS TO DIRECTORY.
Directory is arranged as follows : 1. Name of individual or firm. 2. Post office ai- dress in parenthesis. 3. Business or occupation.
A Star (*) placed before a name, indicates an advertiser in this work. For sach ad- vertisement see Index.
Figures placed after the occupation of farmers, indicate the number of acres of land owned or leased by the parties.
Names set in CAPITALS indicate subscribers to this work.
The word Street is implied as regards directory for villages.
For additions and corrections see Errata, following the Intro- duction,
AMSTERDAM. (Post Office Addresses in Parentheses.)
Adebher, Charles, (Hagaman's Mills.) far- | BARTHOLOMEW. VINCENT. (Amster. mer leases of H. Pawling & Son, 150. dam.) farmer leases of Oscar F. Nolens, 56. Akiu, Ethan. (Ameterdam,) attorney at law and farmer 135.
Allen, David, (Amsterdam,) farmer 130. (Amsterdam.) ( Frear ( Allen.) * AMSTERDAM ACADEMY, (Amster- dam. C. C. Wetsell, principal.
*AMSTERDAM RECORDER, (Amster- dam,) A. Z. Neff, prop .; C. P. Winegar, editor.
ARGOTSINGER, MARTIN C., (West Porth. Futtou Co.,) farmer leases of John HI. Wert. 145.
ARNOLD, WM. HI., (Amsterdam,) prop. Arnold House, livery attached, corner Church and Main.
Dailey. II. F., (Amsterdam,) (Bailey & Van Brocklin.) Bailey. James B., (Tribes Hill,) general merchant and postmaster.
Baile v & Van Brocklin, (Amsterdam.) (H. F. Bailey and W. S. Van Brocklin) props. American Hosiery Mills, corner Hamilton sind Corey. DANTA. JACOB B., (Uagaman'y Mill-) firmer 1:1. Bula, Justice L., (Hagaman's Mills,) : butcher and farmer 50.
Banta, Peter. (Amsterdam,) farmer 119. Barber. Adeline. (Amsterdam,) dress ma- kor. 169 Main.
BARTHOLOMEW, CHARLES D., (Cranee- ville,) grocery.
Bartlett, Chandler. (Amsterdam.) boot- and shoes, 163 Main.
Bassett. John J., (Amsterdam,) e:124, medicines, olls, paints, groceries &c .. 107 Main.
BECKER. OSCAR, (Amsterdam.) carpe !. ter and joiner and master builder. 4: Spring.
BECKER. S. M. Miss, (Amsterdam.) do ... and cloak maker, over Hetrick's > BELL, GEO .. (Amsterdam, ) prop. Shoda mill, Rock City, and assessor.
Bell. M. S., (Amsterdam,) flour, ferd a: grain. 101 Main.
BENN, FRANCIS E., (Hagaman's MTA farmer leases of Wilbur F. Clark. I.Y Benn. Israel P., (Hagamun's Mills, fatti? 10.
Benson, Lawton. (Amsterdam.) infiw! ! and prop. of Fort Johnnou Giftet V BERNING, WILHELM, Tribes I.D A: mer :2.
Birch, A .. (Amsterdam.) farther 19 BIRCH BROS., (J. P. ( S.p.ADER lumber dealers, 3 Pearl.
Birch, James P. (Amsterdam, ):" BIRCH, J. P., ( Amsterdam. 11 Birch, S., (Amsterdam, 7):) Birch, Wm .. (Am terdam,) carb, Chela hi! blinds, 5 Peari.
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AMSTERDAM.
Blain, William J. Rev., (Amsterdam:,) Pres- | CASSADY, PATRICK, (Amsterdam,) sa- byterian clergyman.
Blood, Gardner, (Amsterdam,) (Schuyler & Blood.)
Blood. John, (Cranesville,) Iumberman and farmer 640.
Blood. John A., (Amsterdam,) (John M. Clark & Co.)
*BLOOD, ROBERT. (Amsterdam,) tobac- conist. 173 Main, and farmer .
Bonta. Jacob, (Hagaman's Mills,) retired farmer.
Bostwick. J. N .. (Amsterdam,) (S. T. Best- wick ( Son.)
Bostwick, S. T. & Son. (Amsterdam,) (.J. N .. ) marble works, Chase's Block. ] Main.
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