History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 44

Author: Franklin Ellis and Eugene Arns Nash
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* See biographical sketch and portrait of Col. Johnson.

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HISTORY OF CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK.

notorious "Stop Law" of 1842, work was abandoned on the Genesee Valley Canal and the New York and Erie Railroad, and for about ten years remained unfinished. On the completion of these enterprises, several persons of means, mentioned hereafter, came in and permanently located.

The period embraced within the years 1840 and 1865 witnessed the greatest acquisition of capital to the village, particularly during the decade ending in 1860, which included the completion of the New York and Erie Rail- road and the Genesee Valley Canal, which gave an impetus to commercial and manufacturing enterprises, the beneficial effect of which is one of the most prominent features of to-day. During the period above named (1840-1865) the following capitalists and business men arrived, namely : C. V. B. Barse and A. Blake, hardware merchants; N. S. Butler and R. O. Smith, the principals in the general mer- cantile line; W. H. and D. C. Conklin ; the Myrick Bros. ; Jacob Coss; Charles Gillingham and the Brickell Bros., prominent manufacturers; Drs. John L. Eddy, Charles Hurlburt, and Charles A. Woodruff, prominent physicians ; H. C. and M. A. Blakeslee; II. S. Morris, oil speculator ; C. S. Cary and H. Harper Phelps, lawyers; George Van Campen and M. V. Moore, hotel proprietors; Hollis W. More, carriage-maker; Wm. B. Pierce, grocer, baker, and provision merchant ; Charles Dotterweich, brewer; George W. Dickinson, the present publisher of the Times, suc- ceeded his brother, C. F. Dickinson, in 1872; H. Mckenzie became publisher of the Record in 1877; Amos Bronson, druggist, now retired from business, came to Olean in 1858.

The first incident of a melancholy nature that occurred in the town was the death of David Heuston, by the falling of a tree, in 1807.

THE MURDER OF A SQUAW.

One of the chief characteristics of the Indian is super- stition, which, added to his natural ferocity of disposition, combines to constitute a nature which, from the earliest knowledge of the race, has distinguished them as savages. The ancient and foolish belief in witchcraft was a predomi- nant trait 'in the aborigine. As late as 1807, and within the present corporate limits of Olean village, was enacted the execution of an Indian squaw, whom the Indians accused of being a witch. It appears from various narra- tives of the circumstances that during the earlier part of the year 1807 a terrible sickness prevailed, which in its ravages became epidemic. Indians and whites alike were attacked. The squaw who was the victim of her people's barbarity had been absent in Buffalo, and on her return she visited some of her friends who were afflicted, and foretold their death, evidently basing the prediction on the general fatality of the disease. For this she was denounced as a witch, and was sentenced to death, as many in so- called civilized communities had been, less than a century before, the cruelty of the mode of death being the only distinguishing feature in otherwise parallel cases. The death-sentence was carried out in a manner the extreme cruelty of which was typical of their savage rites. She was tortured to death by the thrusting of burning sticks down her throat, the operation being continued until death

ensued and put an end to her excruciating agonies. It is said that the execution took place in the presence of several whites, who allowed the sentence of the Indian tribunal to take its course, that perhaps being the wisest policy to pursue under then existing circumstances. Mrs. Hicks, a venerable pioneer of Portville, relates that some time sub- sequent to the execution of the squaw she endeavored to convince an old Indian, Sam Parker by name, of the folly of a belief in witchcraft. The only reply she could elicit from him was, "Squaw bad woman ; poison Indians ; ought to die."

This was followed by the accidental drowning of four persons, in the spring of 1820. Their names were Dr. Bennett, Jeremiah Osborne, Joseph Lockwood, and a young emigrant named Kibbey. How the accident hap- pened was never positively known, but it was generally sup- posed that in going down the river (the accident occurred down near Plum Orchard Bend) their boat became en- tangled in an old tree-top, was upset, and the whole party unaccountably drowned. They were on the way to Elli- cottville to attend court. The usual route was down the river to Great Valley, and thence up the creek to the then county-seat. The bodies of Dr. Bennett, Osborne, and Kibbey were recovered after long search, but that of Lock- wood was never found. The others were buried, and their remains are still in the village cemetery. Originally a wooden slab or board was set up at the head of each grave, and the name, age, and circumstance of death was painted thereon. In time these planks rotted away, were buried in the earth, and for a long period lay flat, each on the grave of the man whose name it commemorated. One of them finally disappeared, but the other was reset, and can be seen to-day a short distance to the left of the cemetery entrance. There is nothing left now. but a weather- beaten plank, rounded at the top, having on one side some ridges and elevations, slightly suggestive of lines and letters. These are occasioned by the better preservation of the wood where the black lettering covered the original white ground, the double coating of paint much better resisting the action of summer's heat and winter's storm. It is nearly sixty years since the accident occurred, yet the con- sternation which it created in the little community will rise fresh in the minds of the few yet left who can recall the period of the occurrence of the accident.

THE GREAT TORNADO.

Those of the old settlers remaining, who were here in 1834, will remember with feelings of awe, which forty-five years have failed entirely to efface, the terrible tornado that passed over this village and town in March of that year. O. P. Boardman relates vividly the way in which it came near demolishing their house, and how people being caught in the current of the wind wave whirled around like feathers in a fitful breeze; and how their unfinished barn was devastated, the awful force of the tornado breaking off six-inch joists as though it was done by mechanical skill, under human agency. A regular opening was made in the forest, which remained visible for years, and until obliterated by pioneer development was known as the " fallen timber." Rollin Pratt also relates the sad catastrophe that befell Mrs.

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Orton, in which, for obvious reasons, he was incapable of rendering her assistance.

STEAM NAVIGATION.

In 1830 a steamboat, named the " Allegany," came up from Pittsburgh to Olean. Judge James Brooks acted as pilot from Warren. It was a difficult undertaking, owing to the number of mill-dams and other obstructions that impeded the progress of navigation on the Allegany River. The old citizens had quite an enthusiastic time over this event, looking to the possibility of making the river permanently navigable.

EARLY MERCANTILE AND BUSINESS INTERESTS.

(1 401 ) From the time of the establishment of the first store in Olean to the present time, the mercantile and business in- terests of the place have prospered. The first store was opened by Levi Gregory, in 1811. It was situated on the lot now occupied by the Baptist church. "For many . years," says one who knew him well, "he prospered and did a good business. He built and lived in the house now X occupied by Hon. C. V. B. Barse. His store building now forms the rear part of the house known as the residence of Seth Warren. Some time during the latter part of 1818, Gregory's finances became disturbed, and after much una- vailing effort the sheriff sought him on a civil process ; but Gregory successfully barricaded himself in his house, and the officer could not get service on him. On Sunday morn- ing, however, he came boldly out, took a boat, and hired several men to row him beyond the State line before the day expired."

Following Gregory, and contemporarily with him in some instances, came G. E. Warner, William De Forest, Hoyt Webb, Joseph and Odell Lockwood, and Ebenezer Lock- wood, David Jones, Henry Miller, Samuel McClure, and many others, who flourished in the place in early days.

As mentioned in the history proper of the town, Sylvanus Russell kept the first tavern, and among his contemporaries and followers in that business were Ebenezer Reed, Luman Rice, Jacob Downing, Jehiel Boardman, and others. Both Russell and Recd were also engaged in building flat-boats for navigation on the river.

Among the first physicians were Drs. Eastman, Smith, Bennett, Mead, and Finn, who each practiced their pro- fessions here prior to 1825. In 1833, Dr. Whitney arrived.

In the list of early lawyers we find the names of John A. and Henry Bryan, Timothy H. Porter, Squire Hazen, Roderick and Justus White, and others.

In " Williams' Register," for 1837, is contained the fol- lowing notice of Olean :

" The village of Olean is situated at the point formed by the union of the Olcan Creek with the Allegany River, and contains at present about 70 dwelling-houses, 5 stores, and 3 public-houses. On the creek at the village are sev- eral mills, 1 tannery, and 1 iron-foundry. The Allegany is here fifteen rods wide; the north bank of the river rises gently, and forms a beautiful site for a town.

" The village was laid out thirty years since, and, before the construction of the Erie Canal, was the depot for all the

property sent from that part of the country down the Alle- gany, and the place of embarkation for the emigrants who annually embarked for the valleys of the Ohio and Missis- sippi. The construction of that canal temporarily changed the line of travel; but of late years, Olean has again at- tracted public attention. The population of the town in- creased between 1830 and 1835, from 561 to 830, of which about 500 are in the village. At the junction of the creek with the Allegany is a level plat, where the village is located, running from 20 to 60 feet above the level of the river, which affords hydraulic power sufficient to propel extensive manufacturing establishments.

" The water-power of Olean Creek is owned by a com- pany, to whom belongs the north bank of the Allegany as far as the mills and dam in the Allegany, four miles above the creek. A bill is now before the Legislature to authorize that company to construct a canal and slack-water navigation from Olean Creek to the Pennsylvania line. This canal is to empty into Olean Creek, thus augmenting the hydraulic power at that spot with the stream of the Allegany, and also communicating with the bituminous coal-mines at Smethport, Pa., 22 miles above Olean.

" When the Rochester and Olean Canal shall be finished, it will attract a great transportation from these mines for the supply of Western New York, and furnish a ready means of transportation of goods to the great West."

VILLAGE INCORPORATION.

An act was passed by the Legislature in 1847, empower- ing any hamlet, not already incorporated by special law, containing a population of 300, and having an area of one square mile, to become incorporated. Under this law Olean a kv.12 was incorporated in 1854" The trustees elected at the first town-meeting were Lambert Whitney, M.D., C. V. B. Barse, Charles H. Thing, and John K. Comstock. Enos C. Brooks . was appointed clerk. The village existed under this muni- cipal arrangement until April 1, 1858, when a special act was passed by the Legislature, the first two clauses of which read as follows :

"1. The territory within the following limits in the town of Olcan, Cattaraugus County, New York, shall constitute the village of Olean, to wit :

" Beginning at the north bank of the Allegany River, at the north end of Fifteenth Street, as described on a map of the village of Olean, made by T. J. Gosline; running thence north on the cast line of said street, 75 chains and 11 links, to the north line of township No. 1, in the fourth range of the ' Holland Land Company's Purchase;' thence cast on the said north line 92 chains and 128 links to the west bank of the Olean Creek ; thence southerly, following the west bank of said creek, to the north bank of the Allegany River; thence westerly along the said river to the place of beginning."

"2. The said village shall be divided into four wards, each ward to comprise the territory and be numbered as follows, to wit:

"All that part of said village lying west of the centre of Union Street and south of the centre of State Street shall be the First Ward; all that part lying east of the centre of Union Street and south of the

# Chap. 566, Laws 1868, Sec. 2, amends this section by changing the west boundary line as follows :

"Beginning at the north bank of the Allegany River at the south end of Seventh Street, as described on a map of the village made by T. J. Gosline ; running thence north, on the east side of said street, to the north line of township No. 1, in the fourth range of the Hol- land Land Company's Purchase."

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centre of State Street shall be the Second Ward ; all that part lying east of the centre of Union Street and north of the centre of State Street shall be the Third Ward; and all that part lying west of the centre of Union Street and north of the centre of State Street shall be the Fourth Ward."

The first corporation-meeting for the election of officers was held in May, 1858; but the records of the village, in- cluding the period from 1858 to 1872, having been destroyed by fire it is impossible to give the data ordinarily furnished touching the first meeting, with the presidents for the years missing. Subjoined is a list of the presidents of the village, from 1872 to 1878, inclusive, together with the present corporation officers :

F. H. Myrick, 1872; C. V. B. Barse, 1873-74; C. W. Phillips, 1875; Dr. John L. Eddy, 1876-78.

The trustees for 1878 are H. W. Chamberlain, First Ward; D. C. Conklin, Second Ward; A. T. Eaton, Third Ward; Lyman Latimer, Fourth Ward. George E. Ramsey, Treasurer ; E. C. Brooks, Esq., Clerk ; and John King, Police Constable.

PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS .*

The earliest and most important public improvement, enhancing the prosperity of Olean and vicinity, was the construction of the

GENESEE VALLEY CANAL,

which was commenced in 1836 and completed in 1856. In alluding to this item of local history, in his Centennial Address, Judge Bolles said :

" The subject of public improvements attracted the at- tention of the people at an early day. The Erie Canal, commenced under great difficulties and against bitter ridi- cule and opposition, but completed with vast éclat and enthusiasm, and crowned with magnificent success, at once gave rise to many projects of that character, the general drift being then in the direction of canals as it now is in the direction of railroads. As we have seen, Major Hoops selected this locality for settlement, in consequence of being, as he supposed, at the head of navigation on the Allegany River, expecting to make it an important port by connect- ing the river at this point with the commerce of the State. No sooner was it seen that the Erie Canal was destined to be completed, and likely to prove a success, than an effort was put forth to connect that work with the Allegany by a lateral extension. With that view petitions were presented to the Legislature from the people of this county, Allegany and Genesee, in 1825, and the Senate at once responded by a series of resolutions, one requesting the canal commis- sioners to explore the route, and the other referring it to the joint committee on canals, to inquire into the expe- diency of making a survey of the route from the head- waters of the Allegany to the Genesee River at Scottsville, in the county of Monroe. The agitation of the project was kept up by a series of urgent applications to the Legisla- ture from the citizens of the counties interested, and by the speeches and votes of their representatives, till, on the 6th of May, 1836, an act was passed providing for the

construction of the work as now located, except that it con- templated the intersection of the work with the Allegany at this place instead of Portville, the distance being 108} miles. In 1840 it was opened for navigation from Roches- ter to Squakie Hill, a distance of 36 miles, and in 1853, against many discouragements and drawbacks, it was com- pleted to this point amidst great enthusiasm and celebra- tion. It was an important feature of the original project to render the river permanently navigable to Olean by slack- water navigation, and thus connect the canal and river into a continuous water-route; but this was never consummated. Pursuant to an act of the Legislature passed in 1856, the canal was extended to Millgrove, and there made to form a junction with the Allegany, its originally-intended junction with the river here (Olean) being abandoned."

THE NEW YORK AND ERIE RAILROAD

was completed in 1851. The formal opening of the road took place May 15, 1851. The train on that occasion con- tained the President and his cabinet officers, and was greeted with the booming of cannon and the rolling and continuous shouts of enthusiastic crowds along the line. The route as originally intended would have brought the depot near the present site of Root & Keating's tannery, but by some adverse influences it was located without the corporation limits, although the necessary conveniences for conveyance to the central portion of the village are fur- nished, so that the only annoyance experienced is a ride of about a mile ; perhaps not a very great grievance, consider- ing the generally prevailing powers of extensive and wealthy monopolies.

THE BUFFALO, NEW YORK AND PHILADELPHIA RAILROAD.

This important improvement was projected in 1865, and William Wallace, the veteran civil engineer of Buffalo, was prominently identified with it. The people of Buffalo being somewhat tardy in prosecuting the enterprise, Mr. Wallace proceeded to Olean, where he quickly sold stock to the amount of $28,000, of which $8000 was subscribed by C. V. B. Barse, J. K. Comstock, R. O. Smith, N. S. Butler, Frank L. Stowell, L. Whitney, A. Blake, Fred Eaton, Bradley E. Faunce, and $20,000 by the town of Olean. The road was opened to Olean, July 3, 1872. - Its entire length from Buffalo to Emporium is 121 miles. The road has been one of the most beneficial of all the enterprises with which Olean has been identified.

THE OLEAN, BRADFORD AND WARREN RAILROAD.

The project for the construction of a narrow (3 feet) gauge railroad, to open communication with the Bradford oil district, was first considered in 1877, and immediately put into execution. The road from Olean to the State line was completed Jan. 1, 1878, and one month thereafter the extension from the State line to Bradford was in running order. C. S. Cary, Esq., was largely instrumental in the successful issue of the enterprise, aided by C. V. B. Barse, H. S. Morris, J. G. Johnson, J. B. Strong, R. W. Evans, and others, citizens of Olean.

* See fuller particulars in the general history of the county, and under head of " Internal Improvements."

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IRON BRIDGES.

Quite an important item in the line of public improve- ments is that of bridges. The greatest economy is in iron structures. This is, perhaps, a question upon which differ- ences of opinion exist, yet experience and observation have taught the people of different localities that the construc- tion of iron bridges on the most public thoroughfares is the cheapest and best in the end. There are several very obvi- ous reasons why this is so. Among the most pertinent of which are,-first, the durability of iron structures; and second, the fact that the people intending to settle in a com- munity usually take into consideration whether there will be even the remotest prospect of burdensome taxation on account of bridges, particularly where so many are required as in Olean.

It is flattering to the enterprise of the tax-payers of this town and village that three handsome and substantial iron bridges have been constructed within a few years, at a cost of nearly $20,000; and after the current assessment is col- lected they will be entirely paid for. One of these bridges spans the Allegany River, at the foot of Union Street, and the other two are over Olean Creek, one near the Olcan Mills, and the other near the residence of O. P. Boardman.

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.

The speculations indulged in by the early settlers of Olean as to the future importance of the village as a manu- facturing centre were not by any means of a visionary character. The excellent water-power and other natural advantages were looked upon by those of the past as items of very considerable value, and these advantages have been largely developed by the utilitarian element that has char- acterized the citizens of Olean in the various stages of its history.

Prominent and perhaps chief among the establishments that have added to the name and fame of Olean as the seat of some extensive industrial institutions is

THE CONKLIN WAGON-WORKS,

owned and conducted by W. H. & D. C. Conklin. It is the largest establishment of the kind in the State of New York, if not in the Middle and Eastern States, and is about the only concern of its character that appears not to be affected by the rivalry of the enormous wagon-factories of the Western States. Its reputation holds good, and per- haps with an increased popularity, in neighborhoods where the senior partner sold wagons and carriages more than thirty years ago, and no opposition of interested parties seems to have any effect in counteracting this popularity. It has always been a principle of the firm that to succeed well an article manufactured should be worth the price asked for it, and by adhering to this principle may be at- . tributed their marked success. The partners superintend personally every department of the works, hence are at all times informed of the quality of the material and the excel- lency of the workmanship that has won for their wagons such golden opinions wherever introduced; and the capital invested has been earned by them by hard and persistent labor in the business. They keep no traveling agents, be- lieving that an article in use will always reveal its good and

bad qualities, and knowing that teamsters and farmers are the best advertisers when an article suits. Their facilities for obtaining good timber are unequaled, and they always have on hand, ready dressed and seasoned, a sufficient quantity to last for a year or two. They employ only sober, skilled, and honest workmen, and their wagons are made to com- bine lightness, strength, durability, and easy draft. They have machinery requisite to make, if necessary, 3000 wagons a year, all of which is of the newest and most im- proved kind. When run to their full capacity they employ 40 men.

It is unnecessary to add anything of a laudatory nature concerning their wagons, for they are so extensively used, and so generally known, that further notice of them would be superfluous. The Messrs. Conklin understand thor- oughly every branch of their business, both having com- menced to learn it in early life, each serving his appren- ticeship at home, under their father.

THE OLEAN TANNERY

was established about 1866, by Jewett & Keating, of Buf- fulo, and conducted by them jointly until the former re- tired and a Mr. Root, also of Buffalo, purchased his interest. He, as one of the present proprietors, does not care to have the establishment noticed in the customary manner. We visited the tannery for the purpose of obtaining the necessary data for an extended description, but the requi- site information was refused. Appearances would indicate that the establishment was running, however, although no more general activity or enterprise was apparent than at the establishment of Levi Barrett. There were some men working, perhaps fifty or more, and the movement of ma- chinery was perceptible.

THE TANNERY

of which Levi Barrett is the proprietor was established by Kelley & Lenham, of Boston, in 1859, and was conducted by them until 1866, when the present owner purchased it. The old buildings were burned in 1871, and, with character- istic enterprise, Mr. Barrett rebuilt them the same year. He employs 12 hands, tans 14,000 sides, and uses 9600 tons of bark per annum.

THE OLEAN MACHINE-SHOP AND FOUNDRY.

This establishment was originally started by Smith & McClure about 1854. It was conducted by them until 1857, when, owing to the general depression in financial matters that prevailed that year, they were compelled to succumb, and the property passed into the possession of C. V. B. Barse, Esq., who disposed of it to Eastman & Myrick. This partnership was formed in 1857, and dis- solved in 1864, by the retirement of Mr. Eastman. The present style of the firm is Myrick, Bros. & Co .; the aver- age number of hands employed is 25; nature of business, the manufacture of various kinds of machinery and agricul- tural implements. This is one of the solid establishments of Olean.

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History of Cattaraugus County, New York, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 44

Author: Franklin Ellis and Eugene Arns Nash Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: Franklin Ellis and Eugene Arns Nash
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: