USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I > Part 103
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AUDITORIUM, CITY OF LIGHT. CASSADAGA
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VIEW FROM ACROSS THE UPPER LAKE, LILY DALE
421
THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
At the Methodist church, Supervisor L. C. Warren of Stockton presided. The papers included the read- ing of Dr. Taylor's address on the Military History of the County ; W. W. Henderson's resume of the work of the Chautauqua County Historical Society; and the story of the Swedish Settlement of the county, the latter written by Professor A. J. Lannes of Jamestown, who was appointed to take the place on the program originally given to Rev. Julius Lincoln, who was ab- sent in Europe.
In the Presbyterian church in the afternoon, Charles M. Dow, of Jamestown, spoke upon the Business De- velopment of the county ; James L. Weeks presented his paper upon the Bar of the County ; and John W. Spencer, of Cornell University, discussed the county's agricul- tural interests.
In the opera house, the meeting was opened with William Sexton as chairman. Dr. Julien T. Williams of Dunkirk spoke on the Speculative Era in the His- tory of Dunkirk; G. E. Ryckman told of the grape in- dustry from its inception and E. Buckner discussed the Brocton Community.
Special mention is due the music rendered at the various centennial exercises. Not only was the quality of the voices markedly superior, but the selections made by the committee on music were highly suitable to the occasion, consisting wholly of old-time songs and bal- lads, which in themselves had historical interest and recalled pioneer times. A feature was the work of the choir of the First Presbyterian church of Jamestown.
The throng lingered in the high school building, re- luctant to leave the remarkable display of relics there made, until late in the afternoon ; but at 6 o'clock the orchestra from its station in the Jamestown room play- ed "Auld Lang Syne," and upon this signal the build- ing was let to the committeemen whose task it was to remove the exhibits and return them to their respective towns and owners.
The centennial celebration was an unqualified suc- cess, and from it sprang an influence that will become more potent as the years go by for it started Chautau- quans toward the next century post with higher resolves and quickened energy.
LILY DALE SPIRITUALIST ASSEMBLY. By Mrs. Clara Watson,
Lily Dale Assembly, situated in Pomfret township, was organized in 1879 under the name of Cassadaga Lake Free Association. The dedication of the grounds occurred the following year, 1880, and was dedicated to Free Thought, Free Speech, and Free Investigation. The grounds are beautifully situated on the eastern shore of the upper and middle of the three lakes, which are connected by narrow channels and are known as Cassadaga Lakes. The grounds of the Association are thus quite surrounded by the waters of the lakes and connecting channels, and the place was locally designat- ed as "The Island."
The derivation of the name "Cassadaga" is from the dialect of the Seneca Indians, their name for the place being "Gusdago Tecarneodi," meaning "The lake under the rocks." The Association grounds are located on the Allegheny division of the New York Central Railroad, eighteen miles north of Jamestown, and thirteen miles south of Dunkirk. Lily Dale is the name of the post- office and of the particular locality of the once Cassadaga Lake Free Association, and because of this the name was later changed to Lily Dale Assembly, being still so called, the name having its origin because of the abund- ant pond lilies the lakes afford.
The assembly grounds are laid out into streets and parks, and at the present time embrace sixty-seven acres. Lily Dale is about eight miles from Lake Erie and sixteen miles distant from Lake Chautauqua. The Cassadaga Lakes, like Chautauqua, are fed mainly hy springs ; the altitude, about six hundred feet above Lake Erie, is sufficient to make it desirable as a health re- sort, and the beautiful surroundings make it a charming place in every way for a summer home.
Lily Dale as a popular spiritualist summer school owes its origin indirectly to the spiritualistic move- ment in the town of Pomfret dating back sixty-five years; the movement finding in the little village of Laona seemingly a fertile field for the development of a goodly number of citizens who had for many years taken interest in the more liberal and progressive thought of the times, and thus there had been developed a growing public sentiment to measure a then new philosophy of thought, by standards higher than that
of narrow sectarian bigotry, One of the prominent men of the place and times was William Johnson (father of Mrs. Marion Skidmore, who later had much to do in shaping the destiny of Lily Dale Assembly).
William Johnson's father was an orthodox preacher of the most vigorous type. Of him it is said: "His father's extreme orthodox views, as is often the case, produced a reaction in the mind of his son, and he became a materialist or atheist, and of five brothers all but one were heterodox. William Johnson was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and brain power, an investigator by nature, with the courage of conviction and ability to express the same."
In the winter of 1844-45, Dr. Moran of Vermont gave a course of lectures in Laona on a subject quite unknown to the general mind-that of "animal mag- netism, mesmerism, and kindred subjects," which cre- ated unusual interest. He was enthusiastic in his re- search to solve some of the deeper problems of life than the stereotyped forms and usages of the dom- inant religious thought of the age.
One of the prominent citizens of Laona was Jere- miah Carter, then in a feeble physical condition, and following Dr. Moran's visit a few interested friends formed a little company to meet together and test the new mesmeric power if possible, and Mr. Carter was operated upon with wonderful healing results, and soon it became evident that a power outside of any mortal operator was at work upon him, and it was not long before he gave unmistakable evidence of spirit pres- ence and power. His health improved rapidly, and on subsequent occasions the various features of the "mes- meric," "magnetic," or "hypnotic" state were brought out, and he became a spiritualist physician of prom- inence, healthy and hale himself.
Other cases of early mediumship, among them Mrs. A. A. Straight, who was widely known, are recorded in Laona connected with the spiritualistic movement, and the place became a stronghold of spiritualism, Meetings were held and an undiminished interest main- tained for a quarter of a century. The "Laona Free Association" was formed in the early 50's, which proved a stepping stone to the organization of Lily Dale As-
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CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
sembly. Among many interested ones in the new mnove- ment was Willard Alden, who resided on a farm on the eastern shore of the Middle Cassadaga Lake, and the spiritualists commenced holding picnics in the Alden grove. Jeremiah Carter tells us that in the spring of 1877 he was one evening engaged in reading a news- paper when he heard a voice as out of the air say : "Go to Aldeti's and arrange for a camp meeting," and he was so impressed thereby that on the following day he visited Mr. Alden and laid the project before him. The matter was discussed quite generally, and at the June picnic in 1877 the idea was so favorably received that a committee was appointed to arrange for a camp meeting. This committee was composed of Milton H. Goodrich of Ripley, chairman; O. G. Chase, James- town, vice-president ; David Ramsdall, A. A. Straight, and J. F. Carter, of Laona ; Albert S. Cobb, Dunkirk, and Willard Alden, Cassadaga. Mrs. Joan Carter was secretary to the committee. The committee met a few weeks later and decided to hold a meeting which should commence on Tuesday, September II, and close the following Sunday. Speakers for this occasion were Mrs. E. L. Watson, Mrs. L. A. Pearsall, J. H. Harter, Lyman Howe, R. S. McCormick, and George W. Tay- lor. The average attendance was about one hundred, with possibly four hundred on Sunday. Mr. Carter stood in the road and collected a fee of ten cents from each visitor, and on Sunday collectors were stationed at points on the road on either side of the grounds. At this first meeting there was a deficiency of about thirty dollars, which was made up by the committee. Thus Lily Dale Assembly was launched upon the sea of time.
The measure of success of the first meeting was considered sufficient to warrant a ten-day meeting in 1878. The receipts this year exceeded the expenses by a small margin. Willard Alden, upon whose grounds the meetings had been held, passed to spiritual life Febru- ary 25, and the camp meeting of that year commenced September 6, continuing ten days, and owing to dif- fering opinions of the heirs of the Alden estate regard- ing money considerations, a spirit of unrest pervaded the meeting. However, a camp meeting was arranged for the season of 1879 on the Alden grounds, with an increased attendance. Toward the close of this meet- ing, as there seemed to be no prospect of any satisfac- tory arrangements with the Alden heirs concerning busi- ness matters, steps were taken to formulate a new organization. A committee duly appointed named a board of trustees as follows: A. S. Cobb, Dunkirk, New York, president; O. G. Chase, Jamestown, New York, vice-president; Thomas J. Skidmore, Fredonia, New York, secretary ; Linus Sage, Fredonia, New York; Martin R. Rouse, Titusville, Pennsylvania; George C. Rood, Fredonia, New York. A committee was ap- pointed to draft by-laws, composed of Messrs. J. W. Rood, A. S. Cobb, and H. H. Thayer. A subscription list was opened and generous responses thereto were secured. The necessary papers for incorporation were signed, and the year following, 1880, the new grounds, purchased from the Fisher Brothers, adjoining the Alden grounds on the north, were opened and dedicated under the name before referred to, namely The Cas- sadaga Lake Free Association. Good speakers were present, and much enthusiasm manifested. The first tree felled in the clearing was by Mr. A. S. Cobb. The first cottage on the new grounds was built by the Misses May and Inez Huntington. The first stock- holder to respond to roll call on assessment was N. N. Whitaker. The following year, 1881, the Children's Lyceum was started by Thomas Lees and his sister,
Tilla, of Cleveland, and it has since been one of the most important features of the assembly. This season was one of the most trying years of the association, so much remained to be done. Some of the obstacles seemed insurmountable to those whose enthusiasm was at low ebb. But effort still continued ; plans for further clearing the grounds were formulated, and the winter of 1881-82 saw much improvement along this line. The season of 1882 opened auspiciously with the following well-known speakers: Hudson Tuttle, Professor Brad- ford (who was United States Minister to China under the Lincoln administration), Mrs. Amelia Colby, Miss Clara Field, Mrs. Clara Watson, J. F. Baxter, O. P. Kellogg, Giles B. Stebbins, George W. Taylor, Mrs. R. S. Lillie, Lyman C. Howe, and Judge R. S. Mc- Cormick. Thomas Lees was assisted in the lyceum work this year by Miss Harriet Myers (now Mrs. O. F. Chase). The A. Grattan Smith family furnished fine vocal music for the season. This year marked one of the most critical in the history of the assembly, and yet a live board of directors, consisting of J. B. Champlin, T. J. Skidmore, Linus Sage, O. G. Chase, C. B. Turner, George C. Rood, and M. R. Rouse, went forward with a will to make success the watchword. Plans were for- mulated to build an auditorium, Mr. Champlin originat- ing the plans and superintending the construction of the building, which was ready for occupancy the com- ing season, 1883. This meeting continued from August 4 to September 2, with a fine array of talent as speak- ers. Miss Harriet Myers had charge of the lyceum. The camp meeting of 1884 was from July 26 to August 31. O. P. Kellogg, who had presided as chairman four years, served his last term this year. This year's meet- ing closed with a prevalent feeling of harmony and hopefulness, and the enterprise from that time on has no longer been a constant struggle against adverse cir- cumstances, but rather a series of marked successes. At this year's meeting the trustees elected were T. J. Skidmore, Mrs. Marion Skidmore, C. B. Turner, M. R. Rouse, A. Gaston, E. W. Bond, and A. H. Frank, and this board of earnest workers proved a tower of strength to Lily Dale.
The meeting of 1885 continued from August I to August 30, Lyman C. Howe, chairman. Mrs. M. E. Sperry of Dunkirk had charge of the children's depart- ment this year. Music was made more of a feature this year, Mrs. Olie Dinslow, John T. Lillie and the A. Gratton Smith family furnishing vocal music of won- derful sweetness and power. Damon's orchestra of Dunkirk was engaged for the entire season.
The meeting of 1886 proved a great success, and marked the founding of the library by Mrs. M. H. ! Skidmore, who was nobly aided by many other interest- ed ones. The library was first started in a tent with a small beginning, but soon moved to more commodious quarters, and at the present writing plans are under way for a fine library building of modern design. Be- cause of the great interest in and aid to this enterprise by Mrs. Skidmore, it was named in her honor the Marion Skidmore Library, and at this writing contains nearly four thousand volumes.
The library has been a source of great benefit, enter- tainment and instruction, for it contains, among many choice miscellaneous works, many volumes from the brightest minds in spiritualism, also ancient and modern historical works, fiction, and children's books. This year marked the engagement of the Meadville orchestra, under the efficient leadership of B. F. Nichols, which continued its service many succeeding years.
The year 1890 found Lily Dale Assembly established on a firm and enduring basis, since which time success
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LILY DALE SPIRITUALIST ASSEMBLY
has marked the enterprise, which had strong opposition to contend with from the popular religion of the age at its inception, and to-day, 1920, from a small beginning. this beautiful summer school has grown to an institu- tion of importance and wide influence, with greater possibilities for the future. Lily Dale camp is owned and controlled by an incorporated association. The property consists of sixty-seven aeres bordering on the North and Middle Cassadaga Lakes. These lakes cover several hundred acres, and afford good boating, bathing and fishing, and also yield a generous supply of ice for summer use. Additions to the original pur- chase of ground have been made at various times, in- cluding a plot of low-land, known as "The Flats," also the purchase of the former Alden estate, now the Leolyn grounds, with the famous Leolyn grove of twenty-three acres, said to be the finest tract of virgin timber in the State, wherein may be found many main- moth trees bearing the age of centuries. There are two hotels, the Leolyn Inn, accommodating 200, and the Hotel Maplewood 300 guests. The fine new Auditorium has a seating capacity of two thousand people. New cottages have been added from time to time, ranging in cost from five hundred to five thousand dollars. There are now several hundred cottages owned and occupied largely by private families who are stock- holders in the assembly. The association property and the privately owned property have increased in value as improvement following improvement has been car- ried forward. The association owns and operates the water-works, has an up-to-date sewerage system, and is equipped with gas and electric power, the latter from Niagara Falls. A bath house and bowling alley add their attractiveness to the comfort and interest of visit- ants ; also express office, telegraph and telephone. Lily Dale is also noted for its superior quality of drinking water.
The Ladies' Auxiliary is an organization which promotes many social features of the season, and their efforts have proven of great financial assistance to the assembly, as well as adding much to the interest and pleasure of the eampers.
The Citizens' Club, primarily composed of the resi- dents of Lily Dale, was organized in the interest of beautifying the grounds, and has proved most ef- ficient.
Lily Dale Fire Department is composed of perman- ent residents upon the camp grounds, and is equipped with efficient fire fighting apparatus, and a fine engine house on First street forms one of the substantial build- ings on the grounds.
The Lily Dale Library Association is a new organi- zation, whose purpose is to set forth the teachings of the distinguished workers in spiritualism, and to erect a fire-proof building to safely honse the large library of books, and that shall be an ornament to the grounds, as well as of great benefit. This Society has become identified with the Federation of Clubs. Many features combining fun, and frolic, amusement and recreation are also staged to the delight of the camp- ers.
Melrose Park, at the entrance of the enclosed grounds, contains many of the finest residences; also the Auditorium, the drinking water pavilion, ticket of- fice, post office, association headquarters, grocery stores, restaurants, flower-beds, and beautifully bordered walks, with their over-arching, stately trees.
Lincoln Park, bordering on the lake front of the upper lake, extending north from the Auditorium to the water-works and bowling alley, includes many nice cottages; Maplewood Hotel, band stand, sunflower
pagoda equipped with stationery, souvenirs, books, curios, etc., contributes to a popular communication center. Lincoln Park with its stately trees also offers an ideal parking place for the multitudes of automo- biles congregated there, the new modern cafeteria and the Colonial building being in close proximity.
Cadwell Park includes the section bordering on the north and eastern part of the grounds, including the beauteous Forest Temple, the rustic drinking pavilion, the Hydesville cottage, picnic grounds, tennis court, children's playground. Octagon Building, and many beautiful cottages with flowers and ferns in profusion.
The fourth park includes the Leolyn grounds border- ing on the middle lake front, including Leolyn Hotel, garage, beauty grounds, the famous Leolyn grove, and the wonderful mineral well.
Lily Dale "Special Day" features has included wo- men's day, man's day, children's day, temperance day, grange day, Labor day, firemen's day, patriotie day, Memorial day, peace day, flag day, pioneers day, Ca- nadian day, National day, and special State days.
The Forest Temple meeting place, out in the open. with the overshadowing canopy of Nature's grand old trees, is a popular daily meeting place for conference and message work, and with its pure white Memorial Temple rostrum and pews forms a most beautiful and picturesque meeting place. In close proximity to For- est Temple, and forming an object of attraction and interest, is located Hydesville cottage, the birthplace of modern spiritualism, purchased and moved from Hydesville, New York, by Mr. B. F. Bartlett of Cam- bridge Springs. This quaint structure is of interest to spiritualists and all visitors as the original cottage where were first heard through the Fox sisters the tiny "raps" that heralded the dawn of a new era in human history that today has reverberated around the world, and serves also as a memorial to spiritualism and to the Fox Sisters.
Music-Lily Dale Assembly band and orchestra, an organization of high class artists is in attendance throughout the season furnishing programs of classical and popular music and with three free concerts daily adds greatly to the interest and attractiveness of the Assembly ; and its rendering of artistic selections as a prelude to all public rostrum work never fails to at- tract an audience of those musically inclined. Many fine pianists, vocalists and gifted musicians, including the Boston Ladies' Schubert Quartette have from time to time greatly aided in the musical programs at Lily Dale. Mention too should be made of the genial chairman John T. Lillie, whose voice of sweetness and power is ever welcome and much enjoyed. Refined daneing parties are a marked social feature of each season and are given Wednesday and Saturday evenings in the main auditorium, and with fine musie from the Lily Dale Orchestra, many years in the past under the lead- ership of George S. Humphrey-are most popular, al- ways the best decorum being maintained.
The Woman's Movement has been another feature of Lily Dale camp, and Woman's Day has many years been a prominent attraction. Dating back to 1887, Mrs. Marion Skidmore, as vice-president, invited the women stiffragists to meet at Lily Dale Assembly, and all the years since then, Woman's Day has been the day of all days at Lily Dale. Spiritualism has ever recog- nized the equality of the sexes. In all the workings of the movement woman has ever stood the equal of her brother man.
Many noted speakers and lecturers have occupied the rostrum at Lily Dale. The best talent available has been secured from year to year from all parts of this
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country, and Canada, England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, and Eastern India have also been rep- resented.
While Lily Dale is primarily a spiritualist summer school, yet spiritualism is cosmopolitan in its workings, and its platform is open to Free Thought Speakers, to New Thought Exponents, to the Higher Thought Ad- herents, to Theosophists and Reincarnationists, the Agnostic, the Pantheist, the Quaker, the Christian, and the American Indian-all have been welcomed to the Lily Dale platform, and all have had a helpful message to humanity.
Among the many spiritualists that have spoken from Lily Dale rostrum may be cited Dr. J. M. Peebles, at this writing ninety-eight years of age, with mental vigor unimpaired, and who has five times circum- navigated the globe; Dr. B. F. Austin, publisher of "Reason Magazine;" Dr. George B. Warne, president National Spiritualist Association, and editor "National Spiritualist ;" Mrs. M. E. Cadwallader, editor "Pro- gressive Thinker," and Lyceum Workers, Mrs. Cora Richmond, Mrs. R. S. Lillie, Mr. and Mrs. Kates, Mrs. E. L. Watson, Prof. W. M. Lockwood, Mrs. Clara Wat- son, George W. Taylor, Hudson Tuttle, Lyman Howe, Mrs. Colby Luther, A. B. French, Harry M. Wright, Mrs. Tillie Reynolds, J. Clegg Wright, Mrs. Carrie Twing, Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Sprague, Mrs. Harlow Goetz, Hon. A. B. Richmond, Mr. Grimshaw, Moses Hull, George Brooks, Dr. Wiggin, Mr. Erwood, Jen- nie Hagan, Walter Howell, A. B. French, and many others. Among the message mediums may be cited Margarette Gaule, Maggie Waite, Edgar Emerson, J. Frank Baxter, Mrs. Maggie Turner, Mrs. J. J. Whitney, Mrs. Etta Wriedt, John Slater, Mrs. Maria Carpenter.
Some wonderful phenomena have occurred at Lily Dale, including writing within closed slates, notably through P. L. O. Keeler under test conditions, slate writing and marvelous portrait painting through the Bangs sisters, mediums, without the touch of human hands.
Among the noted outside celebrities who have spoken at Lily Dale may be mentioned Robert J. Ingersol, the late eminent Agnostic in thought; Elbert Hubbard, of East Aurora, Roycroft fame; Virchard R. Gandhi, rep- resentative from the Jain community of India, and dele- gate to the World's Parliament of Religions at Chicago in 1883. The following year Mr. Gandhi spent the en- tire season at Lily Dale introducing in lectures and class work, for the first time, Oriental Thought, which was instrumental in establishing an entirely different idea of the Orient, whom we of the Occident had characterized as "heathen."
Other prominent outsiders who may be cited are Professor William Denton, African explorer; Frank Caldwell, Alaskan explorer ; Rev. Thomas Byrnes, Uni- tarian minister; Rev. Henry Frank, Free Thought speaker; Mrs. Marie C. Breme, State president of the Illinois Women's Christian Temperance Union; the late universally revered Rev Anna Howard Shaw, and the beloved Susan B. Anthony; Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, and others of Wo- man Suffrage fame; Countess Wichmister; Mrs. Bes- sant, and Madame Blauvetschey of Theosophic propa- ganda. Thus the humanitarian principles of spiritualism are maintained.
Among the many beautiful rostrum and amphitheatre decorations the American flag is generously and con- spicuously displayed and with its graceful folds, its beauty, symmetry, significance and power, is ever an inspiration and a challenge to true patriotism.
"Old Glory" -- the Starry Banner-the Red, White
and Blue-emblem of American principles waves its glad welcome to all and proves the loyalty of Lily Dale Assembly to true Americanism-which to the thinking mind embraces the principles of human broth- erhood and sisterhood.
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