History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I, Part 107

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- ed. [from old catalog]; Hedley, Fenwick, Y., joint ed. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Boston, New York [etc.] American historical society, inc.
Number of Pages: 649

USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I > Part 107

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Most of the cities and towns of Chautauqua county have up-to-date high-pressure water systems, supplied principally by artesian wells. Some water comes from the lakes, but the wells are the main source. Several of the towns own their water plants and some are privately owned. The good old-fashioned well is still in vogue in a number of places.

While improved roads do not come under the scope of public utilities, they are appreciated as one of the great- est public benefits of modern times. The great amount of automobile traffic, auto trucking and auto bus service from town to town, means much in the saving of time and money, as well as the great enjoyment to be found in touring a country which has so many beautiful spots as Chautauqua county. The State and county have built and completed roads in different parts of the county

from Jamestown to Westfield, Jamestown to Randolph, Jamestown to Frewsburg, Jamestown almost to Gerry, Jamestown almost to Chautauqua, and Ellington to Waterboro, Findley Lake to Cutting, Ripley for a few miles south over the hill on the way to Sherman, Broc- ton to Stockton, Fredonia to Cassadaga, Fredonia to a few miles eastward, Dunkirk, for a few miles south- eastward to meet the above-mentioned Fredonia road; Irving to Silver Creek, Silver Creek to Forestville and Balcom Corners to Smith Mills, Bemus Point to almost Ellery, and from Frewsburg to Onoville.

THE POPULATION OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY.

The population of Chautauqua county, numbering about 100,000, is principally made up of the descendants of the original pioneers who came into this county in the early part of 1800 from the New England States and other

parts of the East. These people still retain the charac- teristics and sturdiness of their forbears, and they are represented in the leading business, professional, agri- cultural, and social activities of the county.

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THE POPULATION OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY

The Swedish population of Jamestown and surround- ing country has been described in another part of this work by Charles Alfred Okerlind, of Jamestown.

In Jamestown and Falconer there is a large number of English, and they have became very prominent in some lines of business, especially the textile industries. Many of their nationality are at the head of the different mill- ing companies which have played such an important part in the industrial life of Chautauqua county. At one time a number of English families lived on the south side of Jamestown in a section called English Hill. Falconer has a good number of English residents as well as Jamestown.

Dunkirk has a good percentage of Irish and those of Irish descent, and Jamestown has a substantial portion of people descended from the Irish and Scotch. There are a considerable number of Greeks, Armenians and Southern Europeans in Jamestown also.

Jamestown and Falconer have Italian colonies, and in these two towns it is estimated that there are about six thousand substantial and thrifty people of this nationality. All through the Grape Belt in the towns of Silver Creek, Dunkirk, Fredonia, Brocton, Westfield and Ripley and

in the rural sections, the Italian population is growing very rapidly. These people have taken to their natural inclinations and have become extensive vineyardists, makers of grape juice, and are engaged in the canning industry. A number of small canning factories are owned by them. They have many farms, and in the towns they have a good number represented in the busi- ness and professional life of the community.

The Polish population of Dunkirk is a very pro- nounced one. and they have asserted themselves in the life of the city and have a large Polish district. They have built up many substantial homes, churches and schools, and are a progressive class of people. They essentially find occupation in the mechanical trades in the shops of Dunkirk, some are business and professional men. and a number are farmers.

Dunkirk is the home of a number of substantial Ger- man families and families of German descent, and some live in Fredonia and Jamestown. In early Civil War days Dunkirk already had some of its first German fam- ilies, and among them could he found their sons who gave their services in the great conflict between the North and South.

FRATERNAL ORDERS.

FREEMASONRY IN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY-Men of every rank and condition of life and of every religion are members of the Masonic fraternity. Masonry is not a religion. It does not profess to be anything of the kind. The foolish talk, if it may be called that, about its being coequal with the church as a means of grace and salvation has been harmful. It is a union of good and true men who believe in God and practise the sacred duties of morality. It has no politics and knows no sect. It has come down to us from remote antiquity, and in every age it has stood for liberty, equality and govern- ment.

The American rite of Freemasonry properly dates from the Revolution, when all allegiance to Great Britain was thrown off. Most of the statesmen of the Revolu- tionary War period, and nearly all the officers of the American army, were Masons. George Washington was initiated into the order while at Morristown, New Jersey, and later was master of the lodge at Alexandria, Virginia.

The American rite is divided into four separate organi- zations. The word Rite, in its application to Freema- sonry, is applied to the Masonry practised. Thus, we speak of the lodge as Symbolic Masonry; of the chapter as Capitular Masonry; of the council as Cryptic Ma- sonry, and of the commandery, as Templar Masonry.

The lodge, which is called "Blue" from the color pecu- liar to it, has jurisdiction in its own territory over the first three degrees to Master Mason; the chapter con- trols the next four degrees to the Royal Arch; the coun- cil, which exists in some States and not in others, gov- erns the next three degrees; and the commandery con- cludes the American rite, with the orders of Red Cross, Knight Templar and Knight of Malta.

There is another rite of Masonry in the United States, The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. It was first organized in this country at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1801. Its postulants must be Master Masons in good standing. Its degrees, conferred in a series of subordi- hate bodies, number from the 4th to the 32d, inclusive. It has an honorary degree, the 33d, conferred by the Supreme Council upon those who may be deemed to merit it. The degrees from the 4th to the 14th, inclu- live, are conferred in "Lodges of Perfection;" the 15th ind 16th in "Councils of Princes of Jerusalem;" the 17th

and 18th in "Chapters of Rose Croix;" and the 19th to 32d, inclusive, in "Consistories."

Masonry was introduced into the State of New York early in the eighteenth century. In 1805 there were one hundred lodges in the State. None, however, existed in any of the western counties. It was not till 1814 that a lodge was instituted in Buffalo.

A movement for the introduction of Freemasonry into the county of Chautauqua was begun in 1815, when about twenty prominent citizens and Masons, living along the lake shore, petitioned the Grand Lodge for a lodge at Fredonia, to be known as Forest Lodge; and on June 11, 1816, a charter was granted. A little later, a number of equally substantial residents of the county residing in and around Jamestown and the Frank Settlement in Busti applied for a lodge at Jamestown, to be known as Mount Moriah Lodge, and on September 27, 1817, a char- ter was granted. From the organization of lodges at Fredonia and Jamestown, the order rapidly increased in number and lodges. Up to the year 1826, besides those above named, lodges had been instituted at Mayville, Sinclairville and Forestville; and Western Sun Chapter at Jamestown. Many of the best and foremost men among those who came hither to establish homes became enthusiastic Masons and encouraged its growth and influ- ence. It is surprising to know with what bitterness they were assailed a little later.

A terrible agitation, called the "Morgan Excitement," raged through the United States from 1827 to 1840, and for a time crushed Masonry. It put every lodge in Chautauqua county and throughout the State out of existence for nearly a quarter of a century; it brought the Masonic fraternity everywhere into disrespect, and the order itself was condemned as disloyal and wicked; it cansed dissension and trouble in the churches and family bickering in the homes, and in Genesee county, where the affair occurred, and even here in Chautauqua county, it aroused the people to fever heat of excitement.

The unlawful and foolish acts of a few misguided Masons brought about this nation-wide agitation. It is doubtful if the incident would have taken on any national significance had it not been for the interference of the politicians who fostered it for their ends. An account of what happened, doubtless will interest most readers of

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CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

this paper, particularly the members of the craft; for few of the present generation of Masons ever heard of the affair. The writer has read-up various histories of the time in question, and submits the following as the true and essential features of the unfortunate affair :

In 1826, at Batavia, it was alleged that one William Morgan had prepared a manuscript containing the secrets of Freemasonry and intended to publish it. Morgan was a hard drinker, a man of no repute and harassed by deht. Where he received his degrees is not known. He succeeded in entering the lodge at Batavia as a visitor, and afterwards was made a Royal Arch Mason in the chapter at LeRoy on May 31, 1825. It being in contemplation to establish a Royal Arch Chapter at Batavia in 1826, Morgan's name was attached to the petition. Afterward, some of the peti- tioners being opposed to having so dissolute a person as a member, a new petition was substituted, leaving him out entirely. He subsequently applied for affilia- tion and was rejected. This irritated him, and he originated the scheme of divulging the secrets of Ma- sonry for the purpose of revenge, and also of realizing untold wealth.

Associated with Morgan was David C. Miller, editor of the "Republican Advocate," a weekly paper pub- lished in Batavia. He had received the first degree in Albany many years before, but owing to developments of his character had never been advanced further. His habits were in harmony with those of Morgan. In- timations of the intended publication of the book made by Morgan, and articles having reference thereto ap- peared in Miller's weekly sheet. Efforts were made to induce Morgan to suppress the publication, and, while he seemed willing to do so, and did in fact deliver up part of the manuscript, it was found that the publi- cation was being published by Miller. Early in Sep- tember, 1826, it became known that the work was already partially in print in Miller's office, and a plan was set on foot to get possession of the manuscript. On the night of the 8th of September a party of forty persons assembled with the object of sacking Miller's office; but the better class of citizens, as well as Miller's friends, prevented it. Miller's office was dis- covered to be on fire on the 10th of September, but the flames were extinguished. On the 11th of Septem- ber, Morgan was arrested on the charge of larceny and carried to Canandaigua and imprisoned in jail. He was released from jail on the evening of Septem- ber 12th by the payment of the debt. On leaving the jail, he was seized and put into a carriage and driven off toward Rochester. The carriage arrived at Roches- ter about daylight on the 13th and was driven three miles beyond, when the party alighted and the car- riage returned. The driver stated the parties were all strangers to him, and he did not notice any vio- Ience.

The people of Batavia had been for some time aware that Morgan was regarded with suspicion by the Ma- sons. When it became known, therefore, that Morgan had been forcibly seized and had mysteriously dis- appeared, they determined to investigate the case and vindicate the majesty of the law. At a public meeting, a committee was appointed which instituted an in- vestigation, without being able at that time to dis- cover any traces of the missing man, beyond the fact that his abductors had conveyed him rapidly toward Rochester. These facts being reported, the suspicion prevailed that Morgan's life had been sacrificed by

his abductors. Then the whole western part of the State was aroused, and a determination to probe the mystery to the bottom prevailed among all classes of people. The committee could trace Morgan as far as Rochester, and it was a long time before the clue was found by which he was finally traced to Fort Niagara. The great body of the fraternity denounced the abduc- tion, but they were all equally assailed, and the insti- tution had to suffer for the foolishness and indiscre- tion of a few of its members.

The investigation of the committee appointed at the Batavia meeting showed that when the parties left the carriage beyond Rochester, on Wednesday morning, September the 13th. they entered another and pro- ceeded west to Fort Niagara, arriving there on the morning of the 14th, changes of horses being pro- vided as if by arrangement. For a part of the journey, Eli Bruce, the sheriff of Niagara county, was with them. Upon their arrival at Fort Niagara, the four occupants of the carriage, one of whom was Bruce. left it, dismissed the driver, and proceeded toward the fort, which was about eighty rods distant. This was the last that was seen of Morgan.

On October 7, 1827, the body of a drowned man was found on the beach at Oak Orchard Harbor, about forty miles from Niagara. The body was badly de- cayed, and it was buried with all convenient speed, but it was not destined to remain undisturbed; for, on the facts of the inquest being published, a party consist- ing of Thurlow Weed. David C. Miller, and a number of Batavia people, repaired to the grave, had the body disinterred and examined. The assertion was made that it was Morgan's body, and that it had been hastily buried to prevent identification. The physical impossibility of an identification after the lapse of thirteen months was treated as of no account. It was announced all over the country that Morgan's body had been found. The body was removed with much parade to Batavia, where it was buried, creating a great sen- sation.

The cry of vengeance was wafted on every breeze. But when the account of the above proceedings was published, it directed attention to the disappearance of one Timothy Monroe, of the township of Clarke, Upper Canada, who left that place in a boat on Sep- tember 24th for Newark, on the American shore, and who, while returning, was upset and drowned. Accord- ingly, the widow and other friends came on, and an- other inquest was held at Batavia; and the result demonstrated conclusively that it was the body of Timothy Monroe, who was drowned in the Niagara river on September 27, 1827. The body was taken to Canada and buried. The evidence adduced at the last inquest presented facts which proved conclusively that it could not have been the body of Morgan.

Members of the fraternity were arrested on differ- ent charges growing out of these transactions, and the suits were pending for years. Eli Bruce was tried and convicted and sentenced to twenty-eight months in jail. It developed that Bruce, with his companions, crossed the river to Canada, having Morgan in the boat; but an expected arrangement for the reception of Morgan there had not been made, and accordingly he was brought back to this side of the river and put in the magazine in Fort Niagara, to await the com- pletion of the arrangements, which were to place him on a farm in the interior of Canada.

The Masonic fraternity continued to be denounced, and the politicians seized the opportunity to advance their interests. No question of public interest ever gave rise to a warmer political canvass than this popular uprising against Masonry. The words of men who were Masons, although they had always main- tained the highest character, went for naught. Ma- sonry touched its lowest ebb about 1840, when it began to exhibit signs of resuscitation. The Anti-Masonic fires had failed to establish in the public mind the impression that Masonry was a disloyal institution, for the simple reason that it was plainly untrue.

The question which arises is, "What became of Mor- gan?" To this, no definite answer has ever been given.

In 1848, when the storm and fury of Anti-Masonry had spent its force, and the contempt and obloquy that had been cast upon Freemasonry and Freemasons had worn itself out, a few courageous men who remained of the old Mount Moriah Lodge of Jamestown, petitioned the grand master for a dispensation to form a new lodge. The dispensation was granted, and at the next annual communication of the Grand Lodge, in June, 1849, a charter was granted under the number of 145, instead of its former number of 297. To the Masons of Jamestown belongs the credit of reestablishing Masonry in this county. (A. Hazeltine's paper).

In 1849 Hanover Lodge at Forestville was organized under a dispensation. In 1850 Forest Lodge at Fredonia and Summit Lodge at Westfield were instituted, followed by Irondequoit Lodge at Dunkirk in 1852; Sylvan Lodge at Sinclairville in 1853; Cherry Creek Lodge at Cherry Creek in 1856; Olive Lodge at Sherman in 1865; Pea- cock Lodge at Mayville in 1869; Silver Lodge at Silver Creek in 1874; Dunkirk Lodge at Dunkirk in 1876; and Lake Shore Lodge at Brocton in 1905. It is doubtful if there are any better lodges in the State than the twelve lodges of Chautauqua county, which form the fortieth Masonic district. The number of lodges in Chautauqua county is not likely to be increased, at least for many years, except in Jamestown; for, with the rapid locomo-

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tion of the present day, the existing lodges are within easy access of every part of the county.

In respect of Mount Moriah Lodge at Jamestown, with its eight hundred members, the crowded condition of its lodge room at most of the meetings, the large number of candidates always waiting-necessitating the conferring of degrees every week the year round-and the laborious duties exacted of its officers, in degree work, in visiting the sick and in burying the dead, indi- cate only too clearly the need of relief and of better conditions. The jurisdiction of this lodge extends over a population in excess of 50,000, it may be nearer 60,000. It is perfectly obvious that two lodges with concurrent jurisdiction would be prosperous and relieve a congested condition.

It may be of interest to state that at this time the number of Master Masons in the State is 225,000.

Explanatory: Before going further, the writer de- sires to say what may as well be said under this heading as any other, that it is not his intention to write up laudatory sketches of individual members of the fra- ternity. In every town in the county, men of promi- nence and influence have spent the better part of their lives in fostering and promoting Masonry in their midst. Today another generation is following in their footsteps. They all deserve recognition and praise. The writer can- not mention them all -- it would make this paper unduly lengthy ; nor can he mention a few without injustice to the many equally deserving.

ROYAL ARCH CHAPTERS-A less number of chapters than lodges is needed, because many members of the lodge never take what is called the higher degrees. The chapter is a step, and a necessary and important step, in that direction. There are three chapters in the county, and so located as to accommodate the greatest number of companions :

Western Sun Chapter, No. 67, at Jamestown, was first organized in 1819, more than a century ago; but it went down soon after the Morgan excitement. It was revived in 1853, and from then to the present time has received the cordial and zealous support of its extensive member- ship. It is one of the oldest chapters of the Royal Arch Masons in the State.

Dunkirk Chapter, No. 191, was organized in 1865. Like the rest of the Masonic bodies at Dunkirk, the chapter is popular and well supported.

Westfield Chapter, No. 230, was organized in 1869, at Westfield. In 1879 the location was changed to Mayville. The chapter has a large membership, and its jurisdiction includes Summit, Olive and Peacock lodges.

The number of Royal Arch Masons in the State of New York is 45,000.

ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS-The degrees conferred by the council are not prerequisite to becoming a mem- ber of the commandery. For this reason the council has had a transitory existence locally and throughout the State. Dunkirk Council, No. 25, was organized in 1865, and Chautauqua Council, No. 32, was instituted in 1868, at Jamestown. The name was changed in 1896 to James- town Council. For several years the council was dor- mant for lack of support. Some ten years ago it was revived by the younger element and since then has been very successful.

For the second time, the Grand Council held its annual meeting in Jamestown in 1919, and had the good sense to elect a Jamestown man as grand master-Brother Rollin K. Mason. It was a graceful compliment to Brother Mason, and gratifying to his friends.

The number of Royal and Select Masters in the State is 8,000.

KNIGHTS TEMPLARS-The commandery is the height and perfection of the American rite of Freemasonry. The Order of the Temple in our day and generation is a revival of the old order, and the old-time chivalry. It seeks to reproduce the knightly virtues, the chivalrous spirit, and the holy teachings, of the historic days of the Templars.

Chautauqua county supports two commanderies of the Knights Templar-Dunkirk, No. 40, organized in 1867 ; and Jamestown, No. 62, instituted in 1880. These com- manderies are equal to the best in tactics and drill, in degree work, and in personnel of membership.

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE -- The only con- sistory in the State west of Rochester on the north, and Corning on the south, for the conferring of all the Scot- tish Rite degrees, is in the city of Buffalo.

There are two subordinate bodies of the order located at Jamestown, a lodge and a chapter, which confer the degrees from the 4th to the 16th, inclusive. They were instituted in 1904, have a large membership, and are very prosperous. The degrees of the Scottish Rite are put on with a lavish display of scenery and parapher- nalia, and the rite is enjoying a degree of prosperity unexampled in its previous history.

ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR-Various systems of Adoptive Masonry have been practiced. In its incep- tion, the object of the order was merely to place in the hands of the female relatives of Masons means whereby they could make themselves known to the Masons as such. The wives, the widows, sisters and daughters and the mothers of Master Masons are among the eligibles. The order has become an extensive social organization, and wherever there is a Blue Lodge, usually there is a chapter of the Eastern Star.

In these anomalous times, when everybody apparently is rich and the governments of the world are loaded down with debt, the fraternal organizations are more prosperous than ever before. True, the cost of living is doubled, and men are beginning to take $io hats and $15 shoes as a matter of course. These abnormal ex- penses are of no concern to the endless procession of candidates for the degrees of Masonry. They have the money ; it comes easy, and there is spending on a prodigal scale. It was so in the time of the Civil War, as the writer can attest. That war gave Masonry a great impetus. The World War has done the same thing. It behooves lodges therefore to exercise judgment in the selection of members, and to keep the craft up to the high standard of the past. JOHN B. SHAW.

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS-The city of Baltimore claims, and substantiates its claim, that within its borders Odd Fellowship had its American birth. Washington Lodge, No. 1, was organized in that city, April 26, 1819, Thomas Wildey, an Englishman, being chosen the first noble grand. The Grand Lodge of Maryland was organized in February, 1821, under the title of "The Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United States of America of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows." Five men organized this lodge, they electing Thomas Wildey grand master.

The first encampment for conferring the patriarchal degrees was organized in Baltimore, July 6, 1827, and known as Encampment No. 1. The Right Worthy Grand Encampment of Maryland was constituted, officers elected and installed, in Baltimore, December 31, 1831.

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I, Part 107

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- ed. [from old catalog]; Hedley, Fenwick, Y., joint ed. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Boston, New York [etc.] American historical society, inc. Number of Pages: 649

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- ed. [from old catalog]; Hedley, Fenwick, Y., joint ed. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Boston, New York [etc.] American historical society, inc.
Number of Pages: 649