USA > New York > Gazetteer of the State of New York: embracing a comprehensive view of the geography, geology, and general history of the State, and a complete history and description of every county, city, town, village, and locality, Part 2 > Part 66
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ADDISON -- was formed, as " Middletown," in March, 1796. Its name was changed April 6, 1808. A part of Troupsburgh was taken off in 1808, Cameron in 1822, a part of Woodhull in 1828, and a part of Rathbone in 1856. It lies upon the s. border of the eo., just E. of the eenter. The surface is mostly a hilly upland, broken by the valley of the Canisteo and its branches. The principal valley is about 1} mi. wide and is bordered by steep hillsides 300 to 400 feet high. The principal streams are Canisteo River, and the Tuscarora, Elks Liek, and Goodhue Creeks. Goodhue Lake, covering an area of about 500 aeres, lies in the N. w. corner of the town. The soil is prinei- pally a clay loam, with strips of gravel and alluvium upon the streams. Addison, (p. v., ) situated on Canisteo River, contains 3 ehurehes, a bank, several mills and manufacturing establishments. Pop. about 1,300. South Addison (p. v.) contains 18 dwellings. Addison Hill is a p. o.
The Addison Journal was started in 1851 by R. Denton, and was removed to Allegany co. in 1852.
The Addisom Democrat was commenced by Chas. L. Phelps in 1853, and was merged in The Voice of the Nation in 1854. The Addison Advertiser, established in 1858 by E. M. Johnson & Henry Baldwin, is still published.
The Corning and Blossburg Advocate was commenced at Corn- ing in 1840 by Chas. Adams. In 1841 it passed into the hands of Henry II. Hull, by whom it was merged, in 1843, in the Steuben Courier, at Bath.
The Corning Journal was commenced by Thomas Mes- senger in May, 1847. In 1851 it passed to A. W. McDow- ell and G. W. Pratt, and in 1852 to Dr. Pratt, its pre- sent publisher.
The Corning Sun was started in 1853 by M. M. Pomeroy and P. C. Van Gelder. In 1854 Rev. Ira Brown became the publisher. and changed its name to
The Elmira Southern Tier Farmer and Corning Sun, and con- tinned it until 1856.
The United States Farmer was published at Corning in the spring of 1856.
The Corning Democrat was established in 1857 hy Chas. T. Hustou. It is now published by Frank B. Brown.
The Painted Post Gazette was started by - Fairchild in 1846, and continued 1 year.
The Painted Post Herald was published by Hawley & Bennett from 1848 to 1850.
The Hornellsville Tribune was commenced in Nov. 1851, by Edwiu Hough. It is now published by E. Hougb & Son.
The National American was established at fornellsville in 1856 by C. M. Harmon. In Nov. 1858, it was sold to Chas. A. Kinney. and its name chauged to the
Canisteo Valley Journal.
A paper was published for a time at Hammondsport, on Crooked Lake.
1 Capt. Williamson was a Scotchman, and an officer in the British: 24th regiment of infantry during the period of the Revo- lution ; but he did not serve in the war, in consequence of having been ninde a prisoner by the French while crossing the Atlantic.
? " A large proportion of the first settlers upon the Canisteo were from Penn., and had withiu them a goodly infusion of that boisterous spirit and love of rough play for which the free and manly sons of the backwoods are everywhere famous. On tbe ! Susquebanna frontier, before the Revolution, had arisen an athletic. scuffling, wrestling race, lovers of hard blows, sharp ahooters, and runners, who delighted in notbing more than in
those ancient sports by which the backs and limbs of all atont hearted youths have been tested since the days of Hercules. The eating of bears, the drinking of grog, the devouring of ho- miny, venison, and all the invigorating diet of the frontiers, the hewing down of forests, the paddling of canoes, the fighting of savages, all combined to form a generation of yeomen and foresters daring, rude, and free. Canisteo was a sprout from this stout stock, and on the generous river flats flourishied with amazing vigor. Every thing that could eat, drink, and wrestle was welcome,-Turk or Tuscarora, Anak or Anthropophagus. Blue Beard or Blunderbore. A ' back hold' with a Ghont would not bave been declined, nor a drinking match with a Berserkir. Since the Centaurs never bas there been better specimen of a 'half horse' tribe. To many of the settlers in other parts of the country, wbo emigrated from the decorous civilization of the East and South, these boisterous foreigners were objects of asto- nisbment. When 'Canesteer' went abroad, the public soon found it out. Ou the Conhocton they were known to some as the Six Nations, and, to the amusement and wonder of yonng Europeans, would sometimes visit at Bath, heing of a social disposition, and sit all day, 'singing. telling stories, and drink- ing grog, and uever get drunk, nayther.' To the staid and de- vout they were Arabs,-cannibals. Intercourse between the scattered settlements of the colony was, of course, limited mainly to visits of necessity ; but rumor took the fair fame of Canisteo in hand, and gave the settlement a notoriety through all the land which few 'rising villages,' even of the present day, enjoy. It was pretty weil understood over all the country that beyond the mountains of Steuben, in the midst of the most rugged dis- trict of the wilderness, lay a corn growing valley, which had been taken possession of by some vociferous tribe, whether of Mamelukes or Tartars no one could precisely say, whose whoop- ing and obstreperous laughter was heard far and wide, surprising tbe solitudes."- Mc Masters's Hist. Steuben co., pp. G6-7-8.
8 This co. sympathized to some extent in the hostile freling that prevailed throughout the Holland Land Company's Pur- chase toward its European proprietors a few years since; It in no instance were the processes of the courts serionsly impeded or effectually resisted, and juries have never refused to render for the proprietors as the facts warranted. There was doubtless little interest felt by the foreign owners in this estate beyond the of realizing the greatest sum possible from their lands; and the licavy burden of debts, interest, assignments, and back pay- tuents, perhaps not always borne with patience, have been gradually discharged, uutil but a comparatively small amount remains.
4 Named in honor of Joseph Addison, the English author. Called " Tuscarora" by the early settlers.
622
STEUBEN COUNTY.
The first settlement was made by Samuel Rice, in 1791.1 The first church (M. E.) was organized in 1827, at East IIill.2
AVOCAS-was formed from Bath, Cohocton, Howard, and Wheeler, April 12, 1843. It is an interior town, lying N. w. of the center of the eo. The surface is mostly a broken upland, divided into two ridges by the valley of the Conhocton. The declivities of the hills are steep, and their summits are about 400 feet above the river. The streams are Conliocton River and its tributaries Twelve Mile and Ten Mile Creeks from the N., and Bennetts and Neils Crecks from the s. w. The valley of the river is about 1} mile wide. The soil is a claycy and gravelly loam. Avoca, (p.v.,) situated in the valley of the Conhocton, is a station on the B., N. Y. & E. R. R. It contains 2 churches, an iron foundery, and a flouring mill. Pop. 301. Wallace (p. o.) is a station on the B., N. Y. & E. R. R. The first settlement was made in 1800, by Michael Buchanan.4 There are 2 churches in town; Bap. and M. E.
BATH5-was formed March 18, 1796. Pulteney was taken off in 1808, a part of lloward and Cohocton in 1812, a part of Whceler in 1820, Urbana in 1822, a part of Avoca in 1843, aud a part of Cohocton in 1852. A part of Urbana was annexed April 26, 1839. It lies a little N. E. of the center of the co. Its surface is broken and hilly. The Conhocton Valley, extending s. E. through the center, divides the town into two nearly equal parts. The s. half is a hilly uplaud, aud the N. half con- sists of a series of wide valleys broken by several stcep and isolated hills. The streams are Con- hocton River and its tributarics Five Mile and Mud Creeks from the N., and Campbells and Stocktons Creeks from the s. The Crooked Lake Valley extends N. w., and opens iuto the Conloc- ton Valley at the village of Bath, 340 fect above the lakc. The soil is chiefly a gravelly and clayey loam, with a deep alluvium in the valleys. Bath, (p. v.,) incorp. April 12, 1816, is situated upon the N. bank of the Conhocton. It is a half-shire of the co. It commands the trade of a rich agri- cultural district and has a manufacturing business of considerable importance. It contains the co. buildings, 6 churches, 2 banks, and 2 newspaper offices. Pop. 2,012. Kanona,6 (p. v.,) N. W. of Bath, a station on the B., N. Y. & E. R. R., contains 2 churches and 40 houses; and Savona,7 (p. v.,) s. E. of Bath, a station on the same R. R., contains 2 churches aud 232 inhabit- ants; Sonora (p. v.) contains 1 church and 20 houses. The first settlement was made at Bath Village, in 1793, by Charles Williamson, land agent for the Pulteney estate, with 15 families, mostly Scotch and Germans.8 The first settled minister was Rev. John Niles, who moved to the town in 1807.9
BRADFORD10-was formed from "Jersey," (uow Orange, Schuyler co., ) April 20, 1836. A part was annexed to Orange, April 17, 1854. It lies near the center of the E. border of the co. Its surface is a hilly upland, broken by the valley of Mud Creek. Mud Lake, near the E. border, in Schuyler co., is 1,100 feet above tide, and the summits of the hills arc about 600 fect above the lake. The soil is generally a gravelly and claycy loam and best adapted to pasturage. Brad- ford, (p. v.,) on the outlet of Mud Lake, in the N. E. part of the town, contains 1 church and a gristmill and has a pop. of 260. South Bradford (p. v.) contains 1 church and 20 houses.
I Among the first settlers were Elisha Gilbert, Saml. and Reuben Searis, John and Isaac Martin. Wm. Wombaugh, W'm. B. Jones, Israel Chauncey, Jesse Rowley, Amos Carr. and Amos Towsley. The first hirth way that of Stephen Rice; the first marriage, that of Brown Gillespie and Miss Gilbert ; and the first deatlı, that of James Martin. Wmn. Wombaugh built the first sawmill, in 1805, and the first gristmill, in 1806. The first store was kept by Samuel Smith. and the first inn by Reuben Searls, 2 The census reports 8 churches in town; 3 M. E., Bap., F. W. Bap., Prot. E., Presb., and R. C.
3 Probably named from Tom Moore's "Sweet Vale of Avoca." The early settlers called the place " Buchanan," or the " Eight Mile Tree."
4 .James Moore, Joel Collier, Asa Phillips, James Mcwhorter, Finley McClure, Daniel Mckenzie, Abraham Towner, Jonathan Tilton. James Babcock, Jolin Doushe, Richard and John Van Buskirk. Eleazur Tucker, -- Moody, Henry and Allen Smith, James Davis. snd Samuel W. Burnham were among the first settlers. Michael Buchanan 2d was born in 1809; Michael Bu- chanan died in 1811 ; and James Mcwhorter and widow Bu- chanan were married in 1812. Eleazur Tucker built the firet sawmill. und Jonathan Tilton the first gristmill. in 1825. Joel Collier kept the first inn, in 1808, and Alonzo Simmons the first store, in 1×30.
6 Named from Lady Bath, only child and heiress of Sir Wm. Pulteney, of London. She was succeeded July 15. 1808, by Sir John L. Johnstona, of Scotland, who appointed Robert Troup agent. Its Indian name was Tanighnaguanda .- Mc Musters's Hist. Steuben, pp. 111, 142.
6 Formerly " Kennedyrille" p.o., from a resident named Ken- nedy. 7 Formerly " Mud Creck" D. o.
8 Dugald and Charles Cameron, Thos. Metcalf, lector McKen- zie, Andrew Smith, Geo. MeClure, James McDonald, Henry Mc- Elwee, James Reese, Robert Campbell, and William Dunn settled in the town in 1793; and Wm. Kersey, John Wilson, Geo. D. Cooper, Daniel Mckenzie. and Gustavus and Brown Gillesple soon after. Charles Williamson Dunn, born in 1795, was the first male child born in town. The first saw and grist mills were built in 1793, by Charles Will amson; and the first inn was kept the same year, by John Metcalf.
The proprietors of the Pulteney estate indulged in visions of boundless wealth to result from the settlement of their lands. They supposed that the natural avenue to market from the rich "Genesee country" was down the Susquehanna, and that a city might be founded upon some of the headwaters of that stream which would command the entire trade of the West. After a survey of the region, the present site of Bath was se- lected as the location of the future city. Every inducement was held out to lure settlers; und for several years the markets of Bath proved a mine of wealth to the few who raised more grain than enough for their own nse. Williamson erected a theater within a few years after the first settlement, in anticipation of the future metropolitan character of the place. A race course was also established, which for many years attracted sportsmen from all parts of the country. The golden visions of civic gran- deur were never realized.
9 The census reports 9 churches in town; 3 Presb., 2 Rap., 2 M. E., Prot. E., and R. C.
10 Named from Gen. Bradford.
623
STEUBEN COUNTY.
The first settlement was made in 1793, by Frederick Bartles and John Hervey, from New Jersey.1 Rev. E. Sanford was the first preacher in town; and Rev. Mr. Lazelle, (Bap.,) who settled in town in 1816, was the first settled minister. There are 2 churches in town; Bap. and M. E.
CAMERON ?- was formed from Addison, April 16, 1822. Thurston was taken off in 1844, and a part of Rathbone in 1856. It lies a little s. of the center of the co. Its surface is a high, rolling upland, broken by the deep valley of Canisteo River, which flows s. E. through near the center of the town. The soil is a clayey and gravelly loam. Cameron, (p. v.,) on the Canisteo, is a station on the Erie R. R. and contains 2 churches and 35 houses; West Cameron (p. v.) contains 1 church and 15 houses. North Cameron is a p. o. The first settlement was made in 1800, by Richard Hadley, Phones Green, Samuel Baker, and Ira Pratt. Rev. Ira Bronson (M. E.) was the first settled preacher. The census reports 5 churches.4
CAMPBELL5-was formed from Hornby, April 15, 1831. It is an interior town, lying s. E. of the center of the co. Its surface consists of high, broken ridges, separated by the valleys of the streams. The declivities of the hills are generally steep and their summits are 300 to 500 feet above the valleys. The streams are Conhocton River, flowing s. E. through the w. part of the town, and its tributaries Wolf Run, McNutt Run, Meads Creek, Dry Run, and Stephens and Michigan Creeks. The valley of the river is about 1} mi. wide. The soil is a clayey and gravelly loam upon the highlands and a rich alluvium in the valleys. Campbelltown, (p. v.,) on the Conhocton, is a station on the B., N. Y. & E. R. R., and contains 1 church, 3 sawmills, a flouring mill, 2 tan- neries, and about 20 houses. Curtis is a station on the same R. R. Settlement was commenced in 1800.6 The first church (Presb.) was organized in 1831; Rev. B. B. Smith was the first settled pastor. There are 2 churches in town ; Presb. and M. E.
CANISTEO-was formed in March, 1796. A part of Troupsburgh was taken off in 1808, HIornellsville in 1820, and parts of Greenwood and Jasper in 1827. A part was annexed to Troups- burgh in 1818. It is an interior town, lying s. w. of the center of the co. The surface is mostly a hilly upland, broken by the deep valleys of the streams. Canisteo River flows eastward through the N. part of the town. Its valley is about } mi. wide and is bordered by steep hillsides 400 feet high. From the s. the river receives Bennetts and Col. Bills Creeks, which also flow through deep valleys bordered by steep hills. The soil is generally a clayey and gravelly loam. Canisteo, (p.v.,) on Bennetts Creek, in the w. part of the town, is a station on the N. Y. & Erie R. R., and contains 2 churches, a flouring mill, a tannery, and 60 houses; Crosbyville, (p. v.,) a station on the Erie R. R., contains I church and 20 houses. Center Canisteo (p.o.) is a hamlet of 10 houses. Bennetts Creek is a p. o. in the s. w. part. The first settlement was made in 1789, by Uriah Stephens, Sen., from Conn.7 The first preacher-Rev. Geo. Spaulding-settled in town in 1805. There are 3 churches in town.8
CATON-was formed from "Painted Post," (now Corning, ) as " Wormly," March 28, 1839, and its name was changed April 3, 1840. Itis the s. E. corner town of the co. Its surface is a rolling upland, more nearly level than most towns in the co. A considerable portion is yet covered with forests. The streams arc small brooks, flowing northward. The soil is a clayey and shaly loam. Lumber is extensively manufactured. Caton, (p. v.,) near the center of the town, contains 3 churches and 34 houses. A temporary settlement was made in town in 1814, by Joseph and Charles Wolcott; but the first permanent settlement was made in 1819, by Isaac Rowley, from Bradford co., Penn.9 The first church (Presb.) was organized in 1832; and the Rev. Benj. IIarron was the first settled pastor.10
1 Among the first settlers were John Ileminp, Samnl. S. Camp, Abram Rosenburg, Henry Switzer, John Schriuner, Thomas Rolls, Michael Scott, Daniel Bartholomew, Henry Axtelle, Eze- kiel Sackett, and - Smith. The first birth was that of a daughter of John Hervey, in 1799; and the first death, that of Mrs. Thos. Rolls, in Aug. 1803. Frederick Bartles built the first SAW and grist inill, about 1795; and Frederick and Charles Bar- tles opened the first store, about 1800, and the first inn, in 1806. The first school was taught by - Smith, in 1810.
2 Named from Dugald Cameron, an agent of the Pulteney es- tate .- Mc Masters's Hist. Steuben, p. 116.
3 .Joseph Butler, Johu Sauter, and John Hollet wero early settlers. The first gristmill was built by Saml. Baker; the first inn was kept by John Hollet, and the first store, by Andrew G. Erwin. 4 3 M. E., Presb., and Christian.
6 Named from the Campbell family, who were early and pro- minent settlers.
" The first settlers were Samuel Calkins, Elias Williams, Jo- seph Wolcott, Rev. Robert Campbell and his son Archibakl. The first birth was that of Bradford Campbell ; the first mar- riage, that of Asa Milliken and Rachael Campbell ; and the first death, that of Frederick Stewart, in 1806. Campbell & Stephens
built the first sawmill, and Campbell & Knox the first grist- mill. Robert Campbell kept the first inn, and Frederick Stew- art the first store.
7 Col. John Stevens, Benj. Crosby, Arthur Erwin, Solomon Bennett, Joel Thomas, Uriah Steveus, jr., Jedediah Stephens, Wm. Baker, James Hadley, Joshua Stephens, W. S. Thomas, Isaac and Israel Jones, and Asa Downs were among the early settlers. The first birth was that of Oliver Stephens; the first marriage, that of Richard Crosby and Hannah Baker; and the first death, that of Henry Stephens. Solomon Bennett built the first gristinill and kept the first store; and Jedediah Stepheus kept the first inn.
8 Presb., M. E., and F. W. Bap.
Stephen and Simcon Hurd settled in the town in 1821 ; Solo- mon Tarbox in 1822; and E. P. Babcock, Edward Robbins, and Henry Miner in 1823. The first birth was that of Shepard llurd; the first marriage, that of Oliver Woodworth and Eliza- beth lInrd; and the first death, that of a child of John Rowe. Bennett Bruce built the first gristmill; Samuel Wormly kept the first inn, and W. D. Gilbert the first store, aud Edward Rob- bins taught the first school.
10 The census reports 3 churches; Presb., Bap., and M. E.
624
STEUBEN COUNTY.
COHIOCTON-was formed from Bath and Dansville, June 18, 1812. A part of Avoea was taken off in 1843, and a part of Wayland in 1848. It lies on the N. border of the eo., w. of the center. The surface is mostly a hilly upland, separated into ridges by deep and narrow valleys. The principal streams are Conlioeton River, flowing southerly through the eenter, and its tributaries. The soil is generally a slaty and gravelly loam. Liberty, (Cohoeton p. o., ) on the Conhoeton, is a station on the B., N. Y. & E. R. R. and contains 2 churches. Pop. 200. North Cohocton (p. v.) contains 1 church and 30 houses. Bloods,1 a hamlet, is a station on the R. R., 1 mi. from North Cuhoeton. The first settlement was made in 1796, by Richard Hooker and Joseph Bivin.'_ Rev. Elisha Brownson, (Bap.,) the first settled minister, removed to the town in 1811. The census reports 4 churches in town; 3 M. E. and Presb.
CORNING'-was formed, as "Painted Post,"4 March 18, 1796. Its name was changed March 31, 1852. Erwin and Hornby were taken off in 1826, and "Wormly" (now Caton) in 1839. A part was annexed to Erwin in 1856. It lies on the E. border of the eo., s. of the center. The wide valley of Chemung River, extending N. w. and s. E. through the center of the town, and several lateral valleys, divide the uplands into rounded hills and narrow ridges. Its streams are Borden, Post, Narrows, Clump Foot, and Winfield Creeks, tributaries of Chemung River. The soil upon the hills is a heavy, slaty loam, and in the valleys a fine quality of sandy and gravelly loam, oeea- sionally intermixed with elay. Corning, (p. v.,) ineorp. Sept. 6, 1848, is situated on the s. bank of Chemung River, in the w. part of the town. It is a half-shire of the co. The Chemung Canal, the Blossburg & Corning R. R., and the B., N. Y. & E. R. R. terminate here; and the village is an important station on the N. Y. & Eric R. R. It contains 5 churches, 2 newspaper establishments, 2 banks, a State arsenal, and several mills and manufacturing establishments, and commands an extensive and constantly increasing trade.5 Pop. 3,626. Knoxville,6 opposite Corning, con- tains 2 churches and a pop. of 628. Gibson lies on the N. bank of the Chemung, 1 mi. E. of Corning. Pop. 428. Centerville contains 25 houses. East Painted Post is a p. o. The first settlement was made near the village of Corning, in 1788, by Frederick Calkins and Benj. Eaton.7 The first religious services were conducted by John Warren, in 1793. There are 7 churches in town.8
DANSVILLE9-was. formed in March, 1796. Parts of Colloeton and lloward were taken off in 1812, a part of Wayland in 1848, and of Fremont in 1854. A part was annexed to Sparta in 1822, and a part of Cohoeton was re-annexed April 26, 1834. It is the N. town upon the w. border of the co. The surface is mostly an upland, divided into ridges by the narrow valleys of small streams. The deelivities of the hills are steep and their summits are 300 to 400 feet above the valleys. The streams are head branches of Canaseraga Creek, flowing N., and of Canisteo River, flowing s. The soil is a sandy and gravelly loam in the E. and N., and gravel underlaid by hardpan in the s. w.
1 Named from Calvin Blood. This is rendered an important | Judge Knox, of Knoxville, in this co., that the Painted Post was station npon the R. R. from its connection with the Canandaigua Lake Route. A daily line of stages runs to Naples, at the head of the lake, and a steamner plies daily between the latter place and Canandaigua.
2 James and Aruna Woodward settled in the town not long after; Joseph Chamberlain, in 1805; and Saml. Chamberlain, Capt. Jonas Cleland. Joseph Shattuck, Ilorace Fowler, and
Eddy, in 1806. Timothy Sherman, James Barnard. Saml. Rhoades, Jesse Atwood, Isaac Morehouse, and Chas. Burlinghanie were also early settlers. The first marriage was that of Jos. Bivin and Sarah Ilooker, in 1798; and the first birth, that of Bethiah Ilooker, their child, in 1800. The first death was that of Richard Ilooker, Feb. 10. 1801. Jonas Cleland built the first saw and grist mills, in 1808; and Jos. Shattuck kept the first inn, in 1809. Sophia Trumbull taught the first school, in 1810.
S Named from Hon. Erastus Corning, of Albany.
4 In the summer of 1779, a party of tories and Indians, under the command of a loyalist named McDonald, returned from an inenrsion into the Susquehanna settlements, bringing with then many of their number wonnded. At the confluence of Tioga and Conhocton Rivers, Captain Montour, son of the famous Queen Catharine. a chief of great promise, died of his wounds. " Ilis comrades buried him by the riverside, and planted above his grave a post on which were painted various symbols and rude devices. This monument was known throughout the Genesee Forests as ' The Painted Post.' It was a landmark well known to all the Six Nations, and was often visited by their braves and chieftains." This account of the origin of the Painted Post was given to Benj. Patterson. the linnter, by a man named Taggart, who was carried to Fort Niagara a prisoner by McDonald's party, end was a witness of the burial of Capt. Montour, or at least was in the encampment at the mouth of the Tioga at the time of his. death. Col. Harper, of Harpersfield, the well known officer of the frontier militia of New York in the Revolution, informed | 300.
erected over the grave of a chief who was wounded at the battle of the "Ilog-Back" and brought in a canoe to the head of the Chemung, where he died. It was well understood by the early settlers that this monument was erected in memory of sonio distinguished warrior who had been wounded in one of the border battles of the Revolution and afterward died at this place. The post stood for many years after the settlement of the co .; and the story goes that it rotted down at the butt, and was pre- served in the bar-room of a tavern till about the year 1810 and then mysteriously disappeared. It is also said to have beeu swept away in a freshet .- Mc Masters's Hist. of Steuben. Simm's Hist. Schoharie, p. 333.
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