History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 159

Author: Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) cn; Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Ensign
Number of Pages: 1112

USA > New York > Chemung County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 159
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 159
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 159
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 159

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).

The society held a series of meetings, and then occupied the Baptist church ; during the winter about 2600 names were enrolled.

The present officers are M. J. Sunderland, Attorney, President ; Wm. Kingsbury, Secretary ; Wm. M. Pellet, Treasurer.

Executive Committee : B. L. Shay, Joel Voak, J. D. Payne, George Foot, E. F. Loomis, Mrs. O. Patterson, Mrs. M. J. Sunderland, Mrs. Wm. Newman, Mrs. A. F. Stothoff, Samuel Cass, L. H. Durham.

The population of the county is about 18,000, and of this number over 12,000 have enrolled their names under this banner.

SONS OF TEMPERANCE.

Division No. 148, Watkins, New York .- Organized May 25, 1846. The following were the charter members : Wm. R. Williams, Barsalil Shay, Halsey Shuman, Wm. Shu- man, Alvah Nash, N. R. Norton, James A. Drake, and Ebenezer Nash.

This society passed away without mueh benefit accruing.

THE DRIVING PARK.

The Watkins Driving Park Association have 20 aeres in the agricultural grounds inclosed, on which they have made a handsome half-mile traek.

The President is Jesse Lyon ; Secretary, Samuel Saekett; Treasurer, Alonzo Sellen.

WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK.

This extraordinary freak of nature is a narrow and wind- ing gorge, with rocky and ragged cliffs from 100 to 300 feet high, and extending in a general easterly and westerly direction several miles, with numerous cascades, falls, pools, and a wealth of foliage rarely found in this climate; and was first opened as a summer resort in 1863, by Mr. M. Ells, a resident of the village of Watkins, who abandoned the editorial profession to bring this series of seenic attrac- tions before the world, by making the different sections of the gorge accessible by stairways and paths properly guarded, and loeated with reference to obtaining the best views, many of which are truly grand.

The glen is situated in Schuyler County, near the head of Seneca Lake, in the western ridge of the two ranges of hills forming the boundary of Seneca Valley, and which secin to have been torn asunder in the formation of this narrow valley. It consists of a number of glens rising one above another, and extending several miles in all, forming a series of rocky areades, galleries, and grottoes, subterra- nean at times, and again widening into vast amphitheatres, the grandeur of which cannot be fully realized from deserip- tion. It was regarded as almost worthless property ; but within six years after opening, it was sold to Mr. E. B. Parsons, of Troy, Pa., for $25,000, and hardly had the effect of the inspirations born of it begun to find expression in print, when it was sold to Mr. John J. Lytle, of Phila- delphia, in 1872, for $100,000.

The glen, famous to the traveling public, with the de-

lightful grounds and palace home at Glen Park Hotel, and a moonlight ride on the lake, make Watkins a most enjoy- able summer resort. The glen is so unique and striking in its formation, and the succession of beautiful views it presents so grand, and so centrally located and easy of aceess, that although but a few years since first brought to notiee, its pools, cascades, and falls, grottoes, verdant rc- cesses, and walks, its rich display of ferns, and the rare formation of its rocky walls, present a combination of the wonderful and beautiful seldom found, affording a rare op- portunity to study some of the mysteries of geology, and unsurpassed enjoyment to the curious.

The glen forms the outlet of the little stream that here seeks the lake, after pursuing an eecentric course, making a deseent of about 800 feet, from section to section, and forming many cascades and falls of wondrous beauty. " En- trance Cascade," " Glen Alpha," and "Sentry Bridge" bring the tourist to a halt. The air as it draws down through the glen is cool, fresh, and braeing, and laden with sweet odors. One of the sensations usually experienced when visiting the glen for the first time is that of appa- rent danger, but what appear to be dangerous places are not so in reality. Looking upward from this standpoint through towering cliffs of dark roek, that rise one above an- other till they appear to reach the clouds, a little narrow streak of sky is all that reminds you of the world left without.

" All the air a solemn stillness holds,"

unbroken save by the plashing of a distant cascade. "Still- water Gorge," " Minnehaha," and "Fairy Caseade" are themes for the dreamer; "Neptune's Pool," " Cavern Gorge," " Cavern Cascade," and "The Grotto" are the amphitheatres for the student of geology. "The Vista," " Suspension Bridge," " Point Look-off," and " Rainbow Falls" afford the widest range for thought on the sublime. Just below the "Tripple Cascade," on the south side, a little brook leaps over the irregular surface of the rock until it reaches a point twelve or fifteen feet above the · pathway, and here it falls over a projecting shelf, the edge of which is eurved outward in a crescent form. The water does not descend in a smooth sheet, but in a myriad of tiny threads and drops, forming a sparkling, crystal veil, behind which the pathway passes. This novel eascade is known as " Rainbow Falls." Here, when the sun's rays penetrate,-generally from four to five P.M.,-the most beautiful rainbow appears. Beyond, and above the "Tripple Cascade," spanning a narrow pass, is the Platform Stair- casc, while above, on the north bank, " Castle Cliff" is seen through the trees. " Emerald Pool," "Frowning Cliff," and " Pillar of Beauty" present scenes of strangest contrast, and awaken revcries on the first cause; while " Artist's Dream" unfolds a vista of inviting study alluring to all; to the artist, perhaps, more than others, because the grand powers of his soul enable him to see not only the eternal fitness of things, but discern the delicate traeery of the colors and shadows found herc, and whose eye eom- prehends the intent of the many tints of the foliage, and the artistic masonry of the majestic walls of this glorious templc.

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AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

The gorge below is known as the " Narrow Pass," and is full of interest. The walls tower high on either side, and approach each other nearer perhaps than anywhere else. Passing around an angle, we come in site of " Pluto Falls." Into this pass the rays of the sun never shine. The air is damp and cold, and the dashing and rumbling of the Pluto Fall, as it echoes through the pass, adds to the gloom of the spot; aseending a short staircase a fine view of these falls is had, one of singular beauty, and essentially different from any yet seen. The water tumbles into a basin below, which is very deep, and runs for about thirty feet out under the bed of the stream. " Cavern Pool," " Pool of the Nymphs," and " Elfin Gorge" serve as a re- eeding peroration from such gloomy contemplation. "Elfin Gorge" is a seene of rare beauty.

Watkins Glen has an individuality of its own, and is sharing the attention with " Niagara Falls," " Saratoga,". " White Mountains," the " Catskills," " Mammoth Cave," and other wonders of the country so fertile with phe- nomena.

The bridge of the Syracuse, Geneva and Corning Railway is a newly added attraction to the glen ; it is 150 feet high above the stream, and 450 feet in length, erossing the gorge about two and a half miles west from the entrance; the course of the bridge is nearly north and south. There is an airiness about it that looks like a spider-web, and as you gaze upward from the bottom of the gorge, and behold a train loaded with passengers pass over, something like a shudder comes over you, and you almost hear the erash of sundered trestles, and the shrieks of the vietims ; but "the Rubieon is passed" in safety, and the network of iron sinews and bolts, put together by master-workmen, remain intaet, and constrain you to admire the skill of the builder, and you go away with a feeling akin to triumph.

WATKINS GLEN IMPROVEMENT COMPANY (LIMITED).

At a meeting of the stockholders of the Watkins Glen Improvement Company, held at the office of B. W. & C. M. Woodward, in this village, July 23, 1878, the requisite number of shares, 2587, of the 5000 into which the capital stoek has been divided having been taken, and the required percentage paid in, the following directors were chosen to hold offiee until the next annual meeting in February, 1879, namely : John J. Lytle, Thomas Lippineott, Samuel M. Bines, Edward Lippincott, Philadelphia ; Josiah D. Payne, Daniel Beach, William Kennard, A. S. Stothoff, James Gray, Watkins. From this new organization no doubt the glen will be made more agreeable to peregrinate, and if possible new charms brought to view.

President, Daniel Beach ; Treasurer, J. D. Payne ; See- retary, Jolm J. Lytle.

MAGNETIC AND SULPHUR SPRINGS HOUSE.

The Watkins Magnetie and Sulphur Spring is considered one of the best mineral waters known. It is different from many other mineral waters in that it is valuable both for drinking and bathing purposes. It is eathartie, antiseptic, alterative, and tonie.

The analysis of the Watkins Magnetie and Sulphur Springs :

Chloride of sodium ..

46.032

Bicarbonate of muagnesia ..

31.415

Sulphur ..

18.124

Bicarbonate of iron.

35.813

Sulphate of lime ...

18.103

Oxide of iron and alumina ..

4.068

Sulphuric acid.

25.125

Iodine

4.421

Sulphuretted hydrogen

32.692

Bicarbonate of lime.

63.086

Bicarbonate of soda

35.168

Carbonic acid gas.

208.452

F. W. RANKIN, Chemist.

The above-mentioned springs are convenient to the Glen Park Hotel, the largest in Watkins, and nearest to the cn- trance of the famous " Watkins Glen."

Considering the advantages and benefits derived from certain altitudes, the magnetic and sulphur water, the glen, the lake, the seenie attraetions that surround this locality, it assumes a historie character well worthy the general comprehension.

BOARD OF HEALTHI.

Under the provision of the village charter a Board of Health was organized in the spring of 1872. Owing to the fact that the duties are purely nominal, no records of this body have been kept, and the following is all that can be given.

The present board consists of Dr. J. W. Thompson, Dr. J. F. Barnes, Dr. William T. Haas.

SENECA LAKE STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY.

Incorporated March 14, 1870. Directors : First Presi- dent, John W. Barker, Syracuse; Wm. T. Hamilton, Syra- euse ; Geo. J. Magee, Watkins; First Vice-President, David P. Dey, Watkins; Stephen T. Arnot, Elmira. Capital, $100,000, which was inereased, February, 1873, to $200,000. The steamers now are the " Elmira," " Onondaga," "Schuyler," "D. S. Magee," and "On- tario." The " Elmira" is much the largest, and is mainly used in the freight business.

The " Onondaga" and "Sehuyler" are finished in hand- some style, and do a fine passenger business ; also earry considerable freight. The " Onondaga" is 175 feet long, 27 feet beam, 8 feet hold, and low-pressure engine. The "Schuyler" is 185 feet long, 28 feet beam, and 9 feet hold. These two latter will carry comfortably 500 passengers.

The present officers of the company are S. T. Arnot, President ; J. D. Payne, Secretary, Treasurer, and Super- intendent.

As implied in the title of this company, these steamers travel Seneca Lake, one of the most beautiful and remark- able sheets of water in the world. It is abont thirty-six miles long, from two to four miles wide, and has been sounded to the depth of eight hundred feet. Its waters are pure and clear as erystal, and it very rarely freezes in winter, steam navigation being kept up the year round.

Its shores rise out of the water in roeky and perpendie- ular cliffs twenty-five to one hundred and fifty feet high, from the summits of which they slope gracefully baek for miles on either side, and are in a fine state of cultivation, with stretches of woodland between fields of grain, meadows, orchards, and vineyards, presenting in summer a matehless panorama of ever-changing green and gold. Occasionally

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HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

these slopes extend down to the water's edge, like emerald bands clasped in the silvery sheen just at the shore. In the transit from Watkins to Geneva a number of the most bewitching little towns appear, ofttimes nearly concealed by the jutting headlands, or the foliage of grand old trees, de- ceiving one into thinking them some gentleman's country- seat. The sea is generally calm, and as the steamers cross and recross, in their zigzag course from town to town, the beauties of the scenery are constantly startling.

THE PARK.

This is beautifully situated, between Decatur and Porter Streets, and Fourth and Fifth Streets. The streets leading to it are among the smoothest in the village, their long lines of handsome shade-trees presenting a most enchanting view as we gaze on their rich profusion of foliage, embowering the streets and the walks, shutting out the glare of the sun at noonday, and in springtime, when the birds are wooing with their tenderest song, affording a rare retreat for young and old.

The park is the inner sanctuary of these shady bowers. Here the trees seem to vie with each other in umbrageous beauty, inviting the wayfarer as well as the denizens of the village to loiter and enjoy the refreshing rest found here. It is just the place it was intended for,-outdoor gath- erings.

There is a stand provided for orators and music, and a neat and substantial fence adorns the grounds.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOIIN MAGEE,

of Watkins, N. Y., formerly of Bath, N. Y., was born near Easton, Northampton Co., Pa., Sept. 3, 1794.

His parents, Henry Magee and Sarah Mulhollon Magee, came to this country from County Antrim, in the north of Ireland, about the year 1784. Henry Magee was a de- scendant from an ancient family of note, often mentioned in the early history of Ireland. He was a first cousin of the late Rev. William Magee, D.D., Protestant Archbishop of Dublin, who is extensively known as an author.

In 1805, John Magee, with his parents, removed to Groveland, Livingston Co., N. Y., where his mother died October 12, 1805. In 1808, the family, consisting of the father and five children,-Rebecca, John, Hugh, Thomas J., and Mary,-removed to Michigan, and settled in the vicinity of Detroit.

In May, 1812, John Magee, with his father and brother Hugh, enlisted at Detroit, in the rifle-company of Captain A. de Quindra. This company went immediately into active service, had several skirmishes with the Indians, and took part in the battle of Brownstown on the 8th of August of that year. His company, belonging to the command of General Hull, was surrendered, with his army, to the British forces, under General Brock, on the 16th of the same month. He remained a prisoner, on parole, until January, 1813, when he was sent, with the captured

troops, to St. Catherines, C. W., and thence across the country to Fort George. In the following month of March, obtaining his release, he joined Major Cyrenius Chapin's command of mounted rangers. In the mean time, Forts Erie and George had been taken by the American forces, under General Dearborn ; and the British army, in their retreat, had scattered their supplies over the country. Major Chapin's command were engaged in gathering up thicse supplies, and in making other foraging expeditions, in the region lying between the Lakes Erie and Ontario. He was again taken prisoner at the battle of Beaver Dams, near St. Catherines, in June, 1813. Finding his confine- ment excessively irksome, he determined to escape; and though dissuaded by his commanding officer from making the attempt, he obtained possession of his horse, and set out at full speed across the lines towards Fort George, under a shower of bullets from the guard. On the way, a small boy begged so earnestly to be permitted to ride behind him, and take his chances for escape, that he allowed him to do so ; but the poor lad was killed by the fire of the sentinels ; his own clothes were riddled by their balls ; his horse was wounded and fell under him, though not until he had reached General Dearborn's pickets ; and gaining the fort with but slight injury, he reported to the officer in command the disaster at Beaver Dams. That officer did not fail to avail himself of the courage and address which this young soldier had exhibited. He was immediately appointed as a messenger, to carry dis- patches for the government between Fort Niagara and Washington, and to points along the frontier. This duty, attended as it was by many hardships and perils, he dis- charged with a degree of skill and endurance rarely equaled. On one occasion, when dispatches of great importance were forwarded by him to the Department of War, at Washing- ton, he continued in the saddle for forty-eight hours, pro- curing fresh horses from time to time, until he reached Northumberland, Pa., when, becoming completely ex- hausted, he obtained a reliable person to proceed to Washington with the papers, and to obtain the requisite answers, which, as soon as they reached him, he conveyed to General Wilkinson, then in command. On arriving at headquarters, the general refused to believe that he could possibly have been to Washington in the short time that had elapsed, until he had received and read the answers to his communications, when, eyeing John with astonish- ment, he mentally expressed his admiration, and, proceed- ing to his military chest, he presented to him five hun- dred dollars in gold. This money was not made "the germ of his subsequent fortune" (as has been repeatedly stated), but was generously given, every dollar of it, to poor widows with needy children, whose husbands had been killed by the Indians. Leaving the service of the government, in the spring of 1816, John, in company with his brother Jefferson, made the journey from Buffalo to Bath, Steuben Co., on foot ; their road for a good part of the distance being only a path designated by marked trees.

His first employment was cutting cord-wood for Captain William Bull at twenty-five cents per cord. It had been a result of the removals of his father's family, the want of schools, and other privations met in the newly-settled state

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AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

of the country that he had entered upon the work of life almost destitute of education. This deficieney he deeply felt, and applied himself very earnestly to supply by read- ing and study. During the years 1816-17 he engaged in farming with his brother-in-law, Adam Haverling,-part of the time at a compensation of eight dollars per month.

In the spring of 1818 he was elected to the office of constable and collector of the town of Bath, and in 1819 he was appointed to the office of deputy sheriff under George McClure, the duties of which he continued to dis- charge until 1820. In the year 1820 he was appointed marshal for the county of Steuben to take the census.

On the 6th of January, 1820, he was married to Sarah McBurney, daughter of Hon. Thomas McBurney. She died May 15, 1828, leaving no children.

The arduous duties of marshal he performed generally on foot, traversing a territory which extended to Ontario County on the north, to Livingston County on the west, and to Tompkins County on the east, embracing a territory more than double the present limits of Steuben County. Upon the completion of his report he received the public thanks of the authorities for the remarkable faithfulness and accuracy of his returns, accompanied by a hand- some set of table-silver. In the year 1821 the office of high-sheriff becoming vacant by the death of Henry Schri- ver he was appointed in his place. In 1823, when a change in the constitution of the State took place, the office of high-sheriff, which had previously been conferred by a council of appointment, became elective, and he was then chosen by the people to that office, and served till 1826. During the last years of his life he referred to an elm-tree still standing within the limits of the village of Watkins, which marked the boundary-line between the counties of Steuben and Tompkins, under which he had more than once watched in the night for fugitives from justice, who had motives for crossing the bounds at unseasonable hours. While discharging the duties of his office, he engaged with characteristic public spirit in establishing lines of mail- coaches between the principal towns of Southwestern New York and Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Wash- ington. In this branch of business he was associated with Judge Cook, of Bath, and others. In the management of these lines of stages, which were of great publie utility at that period, he became strongly impressed with the impor- tance of railroad facilities, in the promotion of which he subsequently took so conspicuous a part. In the year 1826, Mr. Magce was brought forward by his fellow-citizens as a candidate for Congress. He was elected by a very consid- erable majority, and was again a successful candidate for the same office.

During both these terms in Congress he took a promi- nent position. General Jackson, who at that time occu- pied the presidential chair, regarded him as a man of extraordinary sagacity and soundness of judgment, and made him his confidential friend and adviser. IIe often consulted him upon important questions, and offered him a seat in his eabinet, which Mr. Magee, however, declined.

Mr. Magee was married to Arabella Steuart, Feb. 22, 1861, at Washington. She died at Watkins, May 16, 1864. She was the mother of ten children, four of whom survived

her and her husband, namely, Duncan S., George J., John, and Hebe P. Magee, and only two of whom are now living, viz., General George J. Magec, of Watkins, and Mrs. Hebe P. Ellsworth.

In 1831 the Steuben County Bank was established. Mr. Magee was chosen its first president, and evinced much skill and fidelity in conducting its affairs until his death, a period of thirty-seven years.

During his residence at Bath, Mr. Magce was one of the projectors of the New York and Eric Railroad, and devoted himself with characteristic energy to the carrying forward of that great enterprise, strongly anticipating as he did its great influence in the development of the resources of the "Southern Tier" counties of the State and its general utility. He was associated with John Arnot, Constant Cook, Charles Cook, J. H. Chedell, and J. S. T. Stranahan in constructing the road from Binghamton westerly to Hornellsville.

Mr. Magee was the projector and largely instrumental in the building of the Cohocton Valley Railroad from Corning to Buffalo, a work in which the interests of the citizens of Steuben County were immediately concerned. Ilis efforts and personal sacrifices in its behalf are well known among his neighbors, the older citizens of that county.

In 1851 he became interested in the Blossburg and Corning Railroad, which was chiefly indebted to his ener- getie co-operation for its completion. At that period the coal business had assumed but little importance in the Tioga Valley. Mr. Magec made his first purchase of coal lands in 1859, and opened the mines at Fall Brook in the same year. Entering upon this new field with his usual resolu- tion and sagacity, overcoming obstacles which, to other minds, might have appeared insurmountable, he soon found this work growing so rapidly upon his hands as to demand his constant attention, and his later years were chiefly de- voted to its prosecution.

In 1864, Mr. Magee removed from Bath to Watkins, in the county of Schuyler. Prior to this time, in 1859 and afterwards, he made extensive purchases of village property at the head of Sencea Lake, for the location of trestle-works, basins, etc., for the delivery and shipment of coal; for the purpose of boat-building; for a steam flouring-mill; for dwellings for his workmeu ; for his own residence; and for other purposes. These buildings and improvements demanded a very large outlay, and furnished employment to a large number of laborers. The business interests of the village received a visible impulse from the commence- ment of these operations, and these interests Mr. Magee always manifested a cordial desire to promote in a substantial manner. He was a liberal contributor for the purchase and improvement of the present cemetery grounds near Watkins.

He was an earnest and faithful attendant upon the Pres- byterian Church, of which he was a member, and provided for the erection of the large Presbyterian church edifice in Watkins at a cost of $50,000.

In 1867, Mr. Magee was chosen a delegate to the Con- stitutional Convention of the State of New York, and his last public services were rendered as a member of that body. He did not live to see the work of that convention com- pleted, but his influence as a member was conservative and valuable, and his opinions were regarded with respect.

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Mr. Magee dicd of paralysis, at Watkins, N. Y., April 5, 1868, and was buried in Glenwood Cemetery, in the plat of ground which he had provided and tastefully improved for his family burial-place.

John Magee was an honest man. He could not abide trickery. He never stooped to any meanness in all his varied and gigantic transactions. He always did business in a direct, honest, straightforward way. He wanted every one to come right to the point, for he was already there him- self. There was no double-dealing with him. He hated shams of all kinds, pretensions, and superficial seemings.

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History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 159

Author: Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) cn; Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Ensign Number of Pages: 1112

Author: Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) cn; Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Ensign
Number of Pages: 1112