USA > New York > Erie County > Kenmore > History of Kenmore. Erie County, New York > Part 2
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THE SEWERAGE PROBLEM
Again the sewerage problem came up in 1895. In locating a village, water supply, sewerage, transportation, and fire pro- tection are among the first essentials. The problem must be met and solved sooner or later, and to keep pace with house erection and street building should receive first attention re- gardless of taxation. The problem still remains as our village expands on account of the level area surrounding us. Happily this important matter is being solved by skilled engineers. This time the cry came from residents in the north part of the vil- lage. The Business Men's Association petitioned the Town Board of Tonawanda to establish a sewer district for the relief of the situation. The Kenmore sewers were connected with the Buffalo System in January, and a bill was drawn by Cuneen & Coatsworth under direction of the Town Board of Tonawanda for the north district and presented at Albany. A delegation of men and women from Kenmore paid a visit to the Buffalo City Clerk's office during the spring to face the aldermen with their troubles, just as they do now at the Kenmore village hall. No quorum being present City Engineer Fields had to face the music. Said one woman, "If you don't think we need relief, I wish you'd come out to Kenmore and pay us a visit. You can have the use of my cellar for a few hours, and I think that will be enough for you; you can realize in that time what we are suffering. If you can stay in any one of the cellars ten minutes we wont say another word." With storm sewers in the village and a system now being perfected in the township, which is rapidly becoming a part of "Greater Kenmore," these long suffered troubles will be a thing of the past.
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BUILT A BARN
In these days when a garage is considered an essential part of a home, and public garages are so numerous, it seems strange to know that, in December, 1896, the Methodist Episcopal Church built a barn, in which to shelter the horses of the members during service who came from a distance. 1 Ofttimes the sermon was so lengthy that whinneys from the restless steeds, and vicious kicks against the stalls resounded within the sanctuary, and brought the sexton out to quiet the disturbance.
The building of four houses at one time was spoken of as "great activity." Improvement in the business section of the village was noticeable during the year; yet it became neces- sary to inform the reading public through the press that Kenmore was separated from Buffalo on the north by a fifty foot street, and was not near the city of Tonawanda as many supposed. Houses for rent were scarce; it being the plan of the village leaders to make Kenmore a place of home owners. MOONLIGHT VS GASLIGHT
For nearly ten years the people of Kenmore had rather a "spookey" time of it at night, depending on the moon for the illumination of the streets, and doing without it when the moon was "dark." One public spirited man maintained, at some personal expense, a kerosene lamp in front of his house, his neighbors occasionally contributing a new wick for encouragement. What an opportunity for some enterprising parson, to take for a timely topic in the pulpit, the text of Isaiah 60;19. "Neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee." Perhaps this was what happened; for at a special meeting called for the purpose in the Presbyterian Church there were two propositions submitted. First, to lay pipes and provide lamp posts and burners at a cost of $5,000. Second, to bond the village for $5,000 to provide the money. The fear that some hold-up man would happen to come Ken- more way and part people from their valuables some dark evening was dismissed as idle talk. Fiat Lux.
TRANSPORTATION
In 1898 transportation loomed prominently into view again. Regular trips between Kenmore and the N. Y. C. R'y. belt line were made by a bus driven by Frank C. Stillwell, in whose memory Stillwell Avenue is named. From sixty to seventy-five persons made the trip each day. A 6 x 6 flag- man's shanty was the only accommodation provided for
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passengers during stormy weather. Twenty-one persons were seen at one time waiting in the rain. The Business Men's Association took up the grievance with the Superintendent. The Buffalo and Lockport Railway Co., purchased a private right of way from the Kenmore village line through Virgil avenue, to Hertel avenue, and thus shortened and made more direct the trip to Buffalo; but they charged an extra fare over this short stretch of track. Many people walked to Hertel avenue, or the belt line in fair weather rather than pay this excess. Again the Kenmore Business Men's Association showed its merit by taking up the matter with the company, and presented the case before the Buffalo Aldermanic Council receiving plenty of applause. No other section of the city was discriminated against in this way. Why should "Kenmorites" pay an extra fare for riding a distance of three-quarters of a mile on Buffalo territory? Mr. Carl Ely, President of the Buffalo & Lockport electric line said that, the strip of track on Virgil Avenue was on private property (which is the case today) and if necessary to preserve their legal standing, they could stop running their cars at Hertel avenue instead of running them through to Main Street over the Buffalo Rail- way's tracks. The Lockport Company however, had no charter to run cars in the city. The threat was therefore idle talk. To cease to run only to Hertel Avenue, would be to surrender the right to operate at all. The five hundred people of a growing village had outgrown the stage coach and the belt line route and were insistent on fair play. By the end of the year Kenmore was smiling and jubilant. The Buffalo & Lockport Railway Company lost its case, and under the Buffalo Railway Company the extra fare was abolished.
Kenmore being just over the line from Buffalo, the village became somewhat of a rival for real estate deals and home finders as incorporation began to be discussed. The attitude of the big city was that Kenmore should "Blow its own horn," a privilege which it was not slow to accept. The first decade of her history was now about completed. Progress was assured. Modern houses all occupied were reaching out on the newly paved streets. A lighting system was to be installed. The boycott against the trolley road was called off. Everybody took a ride on one fare. "Boost Kenmore" was the slogan. Everybody was smiling. "Incorporation" was now the watchword. So closed the year 1898.
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CHAPTER TWO
Social and Religious Life Before Incorporation
The early settlers in Kenmore were fully alive to the necessity of providing social, religious, literary, and musical requirements and diversions for the growing community. There were but few aged people among the inhabitants. The great majority were young married folks and children. Located five miles from the amusement places of Buffalo, and lack of transportation facilities, necessitated the development of home talent and a neighborly spirit. "Surprise parties" were of frequent occurrence. With well filled baskets of eat- ables the people invaded each orther's homes with the slightest excuse, or none at all, simply to enjoy themselves, encourage sociability, and get acquainted. All were enthusiastic for the growth and well being of the village, it was the common topic of conversation. No more hospitable people ever lived than the people of Kenmore.
A "C. L. S. C."-Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, and not "Come love sit closer," as it was called by the profane, was organized. Miss Kate Kimball secretary of the parent Chautauqua was present to assist with advice, experience, and inspiration of those at the world famous Chautauqua Institu- tion near Jamestown, N. Y. Mr. George E. Vincent of the Rockefeller Foundation, son of the distinguished Bishop John H. Vincent, the founder of Chautauqua, lectured in the Methodist Episcopal Church during the winter of 1892 on "Rambles in Spain and Morocco." The Kenmore Cornet Band, and the Kenmore Orchestra were organized, the later com- posed of six pieces: two violins, cornet, clarinet, trombone, and piano. These musical organizations provided music for local functions and were in great demand in the surrounding community for dances and parties. Kenmore had a "Standing Army" known as Junior Cadets, commanded and drilled by Ralph Harris. During the winter of 1892 a branch of the Y. M. C. A. was formed. The officers were: President, F. Babbington ; Vice Presidents, Rev. G. H. Marsh, Jabesh Harris, and L. P. A. Eberhardt; Secretary, M. A. Phelps; Correspond- ing secretary, A. W. Olmstead; Treasurer Ralph Harris. Rooms were opened in the "White House" and supplied with reading matter and games. A Ladies Auxiliary with Mrs.
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Babbington, President; Mrs. A. W. Olmstead, Secretary, and Emily Eberhardt, Treasurer, rendered efficient aid, meetings being held in the Presbyterian Church.
A radical temperance sentiment prevailed in Kenmore from the beginning. A Council of Royal Templars was instituted in 1891 by the grand officers of the society. At the initial meeting twenty-two persons were initiated and formed Kenmore Council No. 248 R. T. of T. On the occasion of the first anniversary the membership was increased to seventy five and Cyrus K. Porter, the originator of the Order was present to confer the degree. A saloon located at the corner of Delaware Avenue and Kenmore Avenue, was bought out by the citizens and converted into a drug store and residence occupied by Dr. J. J. Drake. The building was later removed and now stands at No. 12 Warren Avenue. The noted Rev. Father George Zurcher of the Roman Catholic Church, well known throughout western New York in the 80's lectured in Kenmore. Many other eminent advocates of total abstinence, local option, and prohibition kept the temperance question alive, blazing the way as pioneers for the Volstead Act. Ken- more was known far and wide as a "Dry" town, and all efforts to open a saloon met with decided opposition. One of the provisions in the movement for annexation to Buffalo, which was so vigorously advocated in 1894 was the privilege of sub- mitting the question of Local Option to a vote of the citizens of the village, it begin a foregone conclusion that the vote would be "Dry." The action of Hyde Park, when it became a part of Chicago, was cited in evidence, on suit and appeal by a liquor dealer who was refused a license by the Supreme Court of Illinois.
An Athletic Association whose object was to better the vim, vigor, and vitality of Kenmore's young men and boys was formed in 1892 which proved to be very popular.
Kenmore has had from the beginning "An eye for busi- ness." A type of men schooled in old and tried methods of square dealing settled in the village. With a large and grow- ing city across the line and reaching out toward the north the "course of empire" naturally took its way out Delaware Avenue and the foresight of the realtors in founding a village five miles from the city hall in Buffalo, looked upon with doubt by many, was more than justified within three years. Young men of ability and skill were soon attracted to the growing suburb. In July, 1893 the Kenmore Business Men's Associa-
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tion was organized with the following officers: James B. Zimmerman, President; George H. Marsh, Vice President; Myron A. Phelps, Secretary; Albert B. Crary Treasurer. Among the first questions taken up was "Better care of the side streets, the extension of the Boulevard, a system of water works, and the organization of a Fire Department." Annexa- tion to Buffalo was one of the leading question of discussion in 1894, nearly all the members favoring the plan. Joint meet- ings were held with the Town Board of Tonawanda occa- sionally, at which sewerage, water supply, fire protection, lighting, and all questions relating to the growth and welfare of the village were taken up and acted upon. It was a matter of vigilence, sacrifice, caution and hard work on the part of a few determined men, but they were cheered by the steady growth of the village. The question of annexation to Buffalo was discussed by the Buffalo newspapers at some length. "Wants to marry Buffalo and be in the municipal family," said one. "Kenmore should be a part of Buffalo. The result is inevitable," said another. Money, brains, and labor had been expended in beautifying Kenmore, but water, lighting, better transportation, sewerage, and other extensive improvements were needed and many thought that annexation would end the trouble. Kenmore's business men did not wish to antagonize their neighbors by pushing their ideas to the exclusion of other townships, but a committee was appointed to draft a bill to be presented to the Legislature authorizing the annexation of Kenmore to the City of Buffalo. Some of the Erie County members of the state Legislature were in favor of taking in Cheektowaga, Amherst, West Seneca, and Grand Island. The plan to take in Kenmore only was called the "Bay Window" scheme. The Buffalo Express favored the "wholesale plan of annexation." "The result is inevitable, gravitation is not more certain."
Many years ago a pessimist said, "The country is going to the dogs," an optimist replied, "The dogs are still hungry." The situation had its amusing side also. In the Buffalo News of February 8th, 1896 a cartoon appeared showing Tona- wanda's idea of annexation. It represented a Russian sled driven through a forest in winter, pursued by a pack of hungry wolves, the driver whipping the horses frantically trying to escape. A woman in the sleigh named "Tonawanda" was in the act of throwing a baby named "Kenmore" to the hungry pack, while they made a "get away."
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In June 1894 Alderman Bradish sang out,"All aboard for Kenmore," from the City Hall steps in Buffalo. At 2:30 P. M. the Council started out for the village in carriages. On arriv- ing they found Kenmore in gala attire. The residents vied with each other in showing off the beauty and advantages of the village. The aldermen were escorted to the parlors of the Methodist Episcopal Church were a demonstration of how much chicken an alderman could eat took place. President Franklin, feeling a generous impulse after eating the second piece of pie, promised to annex Kenmore right away. A joke- smith of the opposition cruelly said, "An attack of indigestion made him recall his promise."
The taxable value of Kenmore at this time was $4,000,000, and a large amount of building was in progress. The village now had over 300 population, 4 miles of water mains, 1200 feet of gas mains, 60 dwellings, 3 churches, 2 schools, and 3 general stores. Improved street car service was obtained, and "Kenmorites" as Buffalo delighted to call them, had access to the city for one fare, with service every fifteen minutes. As early training, advantages, and environment show themselves in growing boys and girls, so the social, religious and early business experiences of Kenmore's people had left its indelible impress, showing a healthy, progressive, growing village ready to enter a new stage of incorporated existence.
"The Fastest Growing Community in the Country"
CHAPTER THREE
The Decade of Growth and Incorporation 1899 - 1909
Ten years had now passed by since the settlement of the village, and it was known that the population met the legal requirements for incorporation. The real object of this action was to secure the advantages of water, sewers, lighting and other necessary improvements which could not be otherwise obtained. There was no discord whatever between the village, and the Township of Tonawanda, but the town authorities had not the power that a village board would have.
On July 14th, a list of 313 names were secured-"Names of the inhabitants of the territory in the Township of Tona- wanda and described in the proposition for the Incorporation of the Village of Kenmore hereto attached."
PROPOSITION FOR THE INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF KENMORE
"The undersigned adult residents freeholders of the terri- tory hereinafter described propose the incorporation thereof by the name of the Village of Kenmore."
"The territory proposed to be incorporated does not exceed one square mile and is bounded and described as follows:
"Beginning at a point in the Easterly line of Delaware Avenue at its intersection with the southerly line of lot thirty- two (32) in the Twelfth (12) Township and Eighth (8) range of the Holland Land Company's Survey, running thence Easterly along said Southerly line of lot Thirty-two (32) being also the north line of the City of Buffalo Two Thousand nine hundred thirty-one and 7-10 (2931.7) feet to the center of the Niagara Falls Boulevard.
"Thence North Easterly along said line of the Niagara Falls Boulevard Two Thousand Thirteen and 4-10 (2013.4) feet to an iron post. Thence North Easterly along said center line of the Niagara Falls Boulevard One Thousand five hundred thirty-eight and 25-100 (1538.25) feet to an iron post.
"Thence Westerly at an angle of Ninety-one degrees and forty-four minutes (91.44) with said center line of the Niagara Falls Boulevard Two Thousand and four hundred sixty and
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36-100 (2460.36) feet to an iron post in the center of the old Delaware Road.
"Thence North Easterly along said center line of Old Dela- ware Road Four Hundred Forty and 9-10 (440.9) feet to the intersection of the center line of Old Delaware Road with the Northerly line of said lot thirty-two (32). Thence Westerly along said Northerly line of lot Thirty-seven (37) at an angle of seventy-five degrees and Twenty-four (75° 24") with the center line of Old Delaware Road Three Thousand eighty-five (3085) feet to the center line of Elmwood Avenue.
"Thence Southerly along said centerline of Elmwood Av- enue Three Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty-Eight and 5-10 (3968.5) feet to the Southerly line of lot Thirty-seven (37).
"Thence Easterly along said line to lots Thirty-seven and Thirty-two (37 and 32) Two Thousand four hundred eighty-six and 5-10 (2486.5) feet to the point of beginning. Such terri- tory containing a population of Three Hundred Thirteen (313) as appears from the enumeration hereto attached.
Dated July 14th, 1899."
The following notice was then issued from the Supervisor's office-
NOTICE
To all whom it may concern
Take Notice
That a proposition for the incorporation of the Village of Kenmore has been received by the undersigned John K. Patton, as Supervisor of the Town of Tonawanda, that at the Public School House situated at the junction of Delaware Avenue and Old Delaware Road in such territory and on the 28th day of July 1899 at 10 o'clock in the forenoon of the said day, a hear- ing will be had upon such proposition and that such a proposi- tion will be open for public inspection at the store of Francis B. Fulton situate on the west side of Delaware Avenue in such territory, until the day of such hearing.
Dated July 17, 1899
John K. Patton,
Supervisor of the Town of Tonawanda.
The minutes taken at this meeting are filed with the decision of the Supervisor, in the Town Clerk's Office (Vault of the Vil- lage Hall, 1926) and also the original petition and a copy of the above notice and Mr. Bryant's (Town Clerk) affidavit.
"Calvin E. Bryant on the 17th day of July 1889 and ten
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days prior to the hearing posted a copy of the notice: One, Front door of Public School House, Delaware Avenue and Delaware Road; One, Front of store of Francis B. Fulton, West side of Delaware Avenue; One, between telephone Pole East side of Delaware Avenue and city line. These were posted "con- spicuously" and in a "substantial" manner."
This was sworn to before Howard Winship
Notary Public
NOTICE OF ELECTION
"To be held in the Public School House 5th day of Septem- ber 1889 between the hours of 1 P. M. and sunset of said day for the purpose of determining the question of incorporation upon such proposition.
John C. Webb, Town Clerk
of the Town of Tonawanda."
The notice was posted in eleven conspicuous places ten days before the date fixed for the election. The whole number of ballots cast was 32 : for incorporation 31; against incorpora- tion 1. Frank E. Hall was appointed Village Clerk September 16th, 1889 by John C. Webb, Town Clerk of Tonawanda until his successor was chosen.
So one-sided was the election that there was no excitement whatever. The fact that only 32 votes were cast not mean that only that number of people were interested in the proposition, for not all who are entitled to vote at regular County, State and National elections can vote on the question of incorpora- tion. The Crystal Springs Water Co., anticipating favorable action on incorporation, had already made application for the privilege of supplying Kenmore residents with water.
FIRST VILLAGE ELECTION
Notice of the election of village officers was called for the third day of October from 10 A. M. to 4 P. M. at the Public School House by Frank E. Hall, acting Village Clerk. The total number of votes cast for the office of President was 30; of which, Myron A. Phelps received 29, and Jacob Heimiller 1. The Trustees, long term, 31 votes were cast; of which Welling- ton B. Tanner received 24, George A. Besch 3, Calvin E. Bryant 2, Frank Mang 1, Fred Ebling 1. For Trustees, short term; Calvin E. Bryant received 16 votes, George A. Besch 11, Well- ington B. Tanner 2. Francis B. Fulton was elected Treasurer receiving 27 votes. Frank C. Stillwell was elected Collector. Virgil M. Hunter, Harvey Sperry, and George A. Besch were chosen Inspectors of Election.
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FIRST BOARD MEETING
The first meeting of the Village Board was held at the home of the President, Myron A. Phelps, October 4, 1899. Frank E. Hall was appointed Village Clerk, George A. Besch, Street Commissioner. A village seal and stationery were or- dered. The City National Bank of Buffalo was named as de- pository for village funds. George H. Frost was appointed Vil- lage Attorney. The Board was authorized to borrow "upon the credit of the village not to exceed $500 for the purpose of raising funds to defray the expenses of incorporation".
Such were the small beginnings of the political life of Ken- more. The first "Village Fathers" were men of upright char- acter, breadth of vision, and deeply interested in the welfare of the growing community. Encouragement was given to every- thing that would build up the village on a substantial basis and make it attractive to home seekers. Anything likely to debase the moral and social life was vigilantly excluded.
NAMES AND TERMS OF VILLAGE PRESIDENTS
Myron A. Phelps, 1899-1901 Fred B. Eberhardt, 1901-1902 George A Besch, 1902-1904 Myron A. Phelps, 1904-1906 R. D. C. Rudhard, 1906-1910 Robert L. Kimberley, 1910-1911 R. D. C. Rudhard, 1911-Resigned E. B. Olmstead, Vacancy-1912 Matthew D. Young, 1912-1919 A. R. Atkinson, 1919-1921 Walter Ducker, 1921-1924 R. R. Brockett, 1924-1926
THE INFANT VILLAGE
Incorporation having been secured the village entered upon a new life. It felt like a boy wearing his first pair of long trousers, or better let us say, like a young man who has reached his majority. The new born village gave a note to W. Harris Day, of Batavia, N. Y. for eight months in the amount of $500, October 20, 1899, and thus secured funds for running expenses until taxes could be levied.
Village Treasurer, F. B. Fulton was bonded in the amount of $1000. Immediate attention was given to sidewalks, water, lighting, and sewerage. The Village Board voted unanimously for a system of water supply from Buffalo, giving bonds for
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$6000 to pay for the same.
Thirty street signs were placed for $9.45. Property owners on Hazeltine Ave were notified to lay board sidewalks, the cost to be 16 cents per lineal foot. How very small these ex- penses seem, and how low the cost as compared with the sums that are now annually expended for the up-keep of the village. The Tonawanda News carried all printed proposals, bids, and notices, as no newspaper was then printed in the village.
SPEED LIMITS
In May 1900 an ordinance was passed forbidding any "horse, or mechanical device" to travel "faster than at a pace of eight miles an hour" within the village limits. Bicycles were placed under similar restraint, under "penalty of a $5 or $25 fine", and the village was not considered "slow" either, as might appear in contrast with the speed limits of today which seem slow at twenty miles an hour to the man driving a six- cylinder car. The total valuation of resident property holders at this time was $279,361. A resident of E. Hazeltine Avenue was notified not to let his horses run at large on that street. As this was in the month of June 1902, it is presumed that there was pretty good picking for the "Spark Plugs" on what is now a busy street with concrete pavement.
SPECIAL ELECTIONS
A special election was held May 14, 1902, at which the question of establishing a water system was submitted, at an estimated cost of $20,000. Forty-seven votes were cast all of which were in the affirmative. The bonds were bought by O'Connor & Kahler, 49 Wall Street, New York at 5%. Simi- lar proceedings were taken August 5, 1902 to secure a lighting system for $5000, a unanimous vote of twenty-one ballots being cast. While the vote was light it was unanimous, and compares favorably with special elections held even twenty years later.
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