USA > New York > Wyoming County > Perry > History of the town of Perry, New York > Part 17
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authorized to superintend the removal of the snow from the track. This was accomplished, but at something more than the estimate, and this crisis was passed. In assuming charge of the affairs of the railroad, Mr. Matthews arranged his desk in one of the cars and transacted all of the business pertaining to the
EDWARD G. MATTHEWS.
operation of the line in that little portable office. Few people now living can measure the depth of anxiety that was so op- pressive to the management of the Silver Lake Railway in its early days.
R. D. Higgins became personally known to every taxpayer in Perry, for he was untiring in the work of bonding the town each of the three times that it was bonded.
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When disaster overtook the road and financial collapse seemed to be imminent, Mr. E. G. Matthews became the Atlas who took the burden upon his shoulders and placed it upon the rock of success. It was not long before his honesty and busi- ness integrity began to show itself in the good results at-
First Train over the Silver Lake Railway.
First Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Train into Perry
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tained. In 1877 the gross earnings of the railroad amounted to $7,000; in the year 1883 they were $18,000 and steadily in- creased from that time on. Mr. Matthews was succeeded for a time by the late C. W. G. Nobles.
The Silver Lake road had connection with Rochester at a station on the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg road at East Gainesville, in charge of an agent named Hitchcock. Passen- gers had to take a stage from East Gainesville on the Erie (now Silver Springs) to reach the one above referred to. At that time a train ran from Rochester to Gainesville Creek, where it laid over, returning to Rochester in the morning, and that was Perry's best connection to and from Rochester.
Early in the year 1882, a corporation was formed by stock- holders of the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg road and others, for the purpose of building a spur from that road to Silver Springs and permitting its trains to run direct to Perry, where the business conditions were such as indicated its advantage as a lay-over point. instead of Gainesville Creek, and a spur was constructed from what is now called Silver Lake Junction to Silver Springs. It was completed in midsummer, and the first train direct from Rochester to Perry came over the spur and the Silver Lake road on July 2, 1882, in charge of Conductor A. J. Wood. There was great rejoicing on the part of the citi- zens of the town at this accomplishment, and it took the form of a demonstration of public approval.
In the Spring of 1886 the Silver Lake Railway was sold to Mr. A. G. Yates of Rochester for $128,000, which was an ad- vance over the original amount for which it was bonded, prob- ably the only case in the United States where such a happy outcome was realized. It remained under the control of Mr. Yates and his estate until October, 1910, when the property was sold to the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad Co., who
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have made many improvements to bring it up to the standard of the main line and are giving Perry excellent service.
Perry's real growth began with the advent of the railroad. When it was first proposed to secure a railroad to or through Perry, numerous predictions were made by the friends of the project, relative to what it would do for our town and village. At that time many of the advantages which were asserted would follow were regarded as greatly exaggerated, if not wholly absurd; but, nevertheless, with the coming of the rail- road, things took on a new look. There was a better market for produce and buyers paid a higher price for it than they could afford in the years past, when the cost of transportation over- land to the Genesee Valley Canal and outside railroad points was so high.
Two years after the construction of the railroad, Perry had grown more than it had in the 20 years previous. A score of new dwellings had been erected and numerous improve- ments had been made on old buildings. New business places had been erected, and the stores, shops and manufactories were all occupied and were doing a profitable business.
Perry became a market for the sale of grain, fruit and other produce and it attracted the attention of farmers for miles around. The amount of merchandise sold here was said to have increased in equal ratio through the growth and pro- gress of the town. Millers and manufacturers largely increased their facilities and secrred business that formerly they were unable to reach. The possibilities within the reach of Perry were made apparent by the construction of the railroad. With good water power and good transportation facilities it was in a position to invite and secure other and larger manufactories.
The energy and loyalty manifested in the efforts to im- prove home conditions, so earnestly displayed by the men of
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Perry who assisted in securing the railroad, deserve the highest commendation, for those same men unquestionably paved the way for the industrial development and the general material prosperity which the town enjoys today.
CHAPTER XVIII
Theatres and Amusement Places-The Roller Skating Craze-Con- ception of a Town Hall and Auditorium and Its Realization as an Important Public Building.
The earliest theatre, or public hall, of which we have been able to obtain any information was located in the old National Hotel which was doing business in Perry in 1841. Home talent plays and traveling troupes were accommodated in the large dance hall of this popular hostelry. The elite of Perry also "tripped the light fantistic" there on many social occasions.
Smith's Hall was erected in 1857 and was located in the third story of the Smith Block (now the Olin Block) on Main street. This hall was in continuous use as a theatre and public hall until its destruction in the big fire of 1891. Previous to that time, the block had been purchased by the late M. H. Olin, who entirely remodeled, enlarged and beautified Smith's Hall and renamed it "Olin Opera House," where many high class entertainers appeared in concert, the drama, opera, etc., as well as many local residents in amateur theatricals.
In the days of Smith's Hall and Olin Opera House, such noted people as the late Horace Greely, Mary A. Livermore, John B. Gough, Bayard Taylor, John A. Logan and numerous others appeared there on the lecture platform and gave the intellectual stimulus that developed to a marked degree the culture that was a general characteristic of the people of Perry 25 years and more ago.
White's Hall (later Bucknam's Hall) was built on South Main street by the late Daniel C. White in the Fall of 1886. The lumber of which it was constructed came from what had been a large roller skating rink located on Leicester street, in the hollow just below the Crocker property, on the north side
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of the street. It was erected by a firm of outsiders, Sheldon & Robinson, and was a building about 125 feet long and 60 feet wide. Mr. Sheldon purchased the interest of his partner after a few months and continued its management during the life of the roller skating eraze, which was about three years, when it suddenly began to wane. During that time the Rink was the scene of numerous brilliant skating carnivals, races and ex- citing polo contests. Under the management of J. Lewis Wyck. off, Perry developed a polo team that won an extended repu- tation and defeated the crack teams of this section. It was composed of J. A. Clement, captain ; Michael Whelan, Ed. Tall- madge, Clifford Bills, Charles Rudd, of Perry, Aaron Jones of Castile, and one other member whose name is not recalled. Their contests here and in surrounding towns with opposing teams drew large crowds. and the interest and enthusiasm manifested was as great as ever displayed in support of local base ball teams. Frank E. Wade, a local resident, developed considerable skill as a racer and won a number of contests and medals. The Rink was a great place of amusement and enter- tainment while the "skating fever" raged, but the time came when interest abated and the decline of business was steady until the building was sold to Mr. White. He demolished the structure and with the lumber erected the building that at pres- ent stands on the west side of South Main street, owned and occupied by Win. Bucknam, used as a livery stable on the ground floor.
For several years, White's Hall was the scene of social gatherings, dramatic entertainments, concerts, lectures, etc., until the time came as a result of the growth of the town that it was not large enough to accommodate the number of people who desired to attend some of the attractions, and its location on the second floor of a frame building was considered by many as an unsafe gathering place for a crowd of people.
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After the sale of the Silver Lake Railway, previously re- ferred to, the profit was being used in yearly rebates of a com- paratively small sum to the taxpayers. In 1896 the report of the Railroad Commissioners showed that there was in their hands a total of $16,630.87 over and above bonds outstanding, and the plan was conceived by C. M. Smith to use $10,000 of that sum for the purpose of erecting a suitable town hall for public gatherings, and the suggestion was presented to a num- ber of townspeople for their consideration. The suggestion met with the approval of the majority to whom it wasmade, themat- ter was presented to the people in articles in the local papers, and after the proposition had been given publicity and the gen- eral reponse appeared to be favorable, a bill was introduced in the State Legislature by Assemblyman M. N. Cole of Castile on Jan. 18th, 1897, providing that the Town Board of the Town of Perry submit a proposition to the taxpayers of the town to con- struet a Town Hall at an expense of $10,000, including site, and to appropriate for such purpose from funds held by the Rail- road Commissioners. The bill also provided for the appoint- ment of three commissioners to have charge of the construction of such building, should the proposition be carried. The bill was read twice after its introduction, passed unanimously, and on Jan. 25th, 1897, it was signed by Governor Frank S. Black and became a law.
The question was submitted to a vote of the people at the town election held on the 23d of February, 1897, and was car- ried, the vote being 428 yes, 209 no, a majority of 219 in favor of the proposition. A series of suggestive plans had been on exhibition previous to the election, but the plans finally adopted were much more complete and comprehensive, to meet the probable requirements as they developed from the discus- sion of the matter.
The proposition having been carried, Town Clerk H. A.
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Cole received on March 2d, 1897, the certificate of appointment of Clarence M. Smith, Byron A. Nevins and Wm. D. Page as Town Hall Commissioners, in accordance with the provisions of the special law passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor for the appointment of three commissioners. The commissioners secured nine sets of plans from different archi- tects and after careful consideration of the matter for a period of several weeks, they combined the most desirable features and looked about for the most satisfactory site for the building. There were two that appeared to be the most feasible. The then Horace Alburty property on the north side of Covington street, a short distance from Main, and the site on the corner of Main and St. Helena streets, now occupied by the Episcopal Church. In order to get an expression of choice from as great a number of people as possible, a public meeting was called for Friday evening, June 11th, at the fire department building. There was a small attendance, only about 50 persons being present. After a brief discussion of the matter, a resolution was offered requesting the Commissioners to at once institute condemnation proceedings against the property owned by T. H. Bussey on Main street, adjoining the Hotel Perry, now occu- pied by the Bussey block. The resolution was carried, a large majority of those present voting in favor of it. After explana- tions and further discussion, considerable sentiment was devel- oped against instituting condemnation proceedings which might involve expensive litigation. Remarks were made by Messrs. James Wylie, B. C. Roup, H. M. Scranton, Wm. Rudd, T. R. Buell, C. W. Rudd, Robert Stainton and Mrs. C. A. Cleve- land, and the meeting adjourned without any further action be- ing taken.
The matter rested for about two weeks without apparent crystallization of sentiment in favor of any particular site and the Commissioners concluded to purchase the site on the corner
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of Main and St. Helena streets at $800, which was the lowest in price, $1600 being asked for the Alburty property. The an- nouncement of intention to purchase the corner site created quite a stir and aroused a strong feeling of dissatisfaction among a large number of people. Learning that there was an earnest desire on the part of many of the taxpayers in favor of a site more centrally located than either of those that had been under consideration, the Commissioners on the 30th of June, 1897, purchased the Bills property for $3,500, in what is practi- cally the business center of the village. A lot was purchased on Dolbeer place, the former Bills dwelling house was removed to that location and remodeled into a double house for dwelling purposes.
The property was sold at a profit a few years afterward and the receipts from rental and sale were placed to the credit of the Town Hall fund.
The contract for the Town Hall building was let to W. L. Smith of Perry, who was the lowest bidder (with the exception of a Franklinville man, whose bid was only a few dollars less.) Mr. Smith's bid was $6,966.00 for the exterior and $2,600 for the interior, making a total of $9,566.00 No purchaser having been found at this time for the Bills house on its Dolbeer place site, and the building site having cost considerable more than expected, together with the fact that changes and enlargements had been made in the original plan, in accordance with ac- cepted suggestions from several of the older business men who believed in providing for the future as well as present needs, the Commisisoners asked for an appropriation of $7,000 to com- plete the building. A special town meeting was called to be held at White's Opera House on Tuesday, Sept. 13th, 1898, to vote upon the proposition. There were only 170 votes cast, the result being as follows : Yes, 136 ; no, 33; blank, 1.
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The plans decided upon provided for a large auditorium on the ground floor, for local or traveling entertainments, leet- ures, etc. ; a large hall on the second floor, for caucuses, elec- tions, dancing parties, receptions, publie meetings, etc .; a din- ing room on the ground floor and a kitchen in the basement. That left a large room on the ground floor, at the right of the entrance and lobby, for renting purposes.
At that time the late George W. Grieve was postmaster and occupied the north half of the Caswell block (now occupied by G. L. Peck's shoe store), where the quarters were more or less crowded, particularly at mail times. The idea suggested itself to the Commissioners that the town's building would make an ideal site for the postoffice, giving it a central location and at the same time giving the town " Uncle Sam" as a probable per- manent and unquestionably responsible tenant who would pay a good rate of rental. While they had no authority to act upon the suggestion and incur the additional expense that it would involve, in submitting the matter to other business men the sug- gestion met with such approval as a good business move that the Commissioners fitted the room for postoffice purposes and purchased an equipment of lock and call boxes, etc., at a cost of $1498.25.
On March 31st, 1899, J. E. Cole received his commission as postmaster of Perry, succeeding Geo. W. Grieve, and on April 1st he removed the office to the Town Hall building, which has been its location continuously ever since.
Acting also upon their own initiative, they purchased an equipment of seats for the auditorium of the Grand Rapids School Furniture Co. at an expense of $1,117.80 and scenery from Sosman & Landis of Chicago at an expense of $775.97. They also expended $728.61 for interior decorating and other smaller sums for lighting and ventilating equipment, to make the property complete in its appointments. In taking unauth-
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orized action they incurred the severe censure and condem- nation of a considerable number of citizens, but with the pass- ing of time and the extent to which the building has been used, some of the critics have admitted the wisdom and foresight of the action of the Commissioners, and even the more bitter ones have modified their opinions.
Although not entirely completed, the building was opened to the public on the evenings of Friday and Saturday, Dec. 30th and 31st, 1898, when the comedy entitled "The Henrietta" was presented by the following cast, composed entirely of local talent, viz : W. D. Olmsted as Nicholas VanAlystyne; Rev. C. Palmatier as Dr. Parke Wainwright; N. Guy Watrous as Nich- olas VanAlstyne, Jr .; C. G. Clarke as Bertie VanAlstyne; A. F. Davis as Lord Arthur Trelawney ; L. P. Benedict as Rev. Murray Hilton; Cleveland K. Nobles as Watson Flint; W. D. Hollister as Musgrave; Miss Mary Brick as Mrs. Cornelia Op- dyke; Mrs. A. W. Tallman as Rose VanAlstyne; Miss Ada Thomas as Agnes Lockwood; Miss Marie Wildman as Lady Mary Trelawney. Music was furnished by the Casino Orches- tra of Perry. The seat prices were from 35 to 75 cents and the house was well filled on both nights, notwithstanding the un- favorable weather and the drifted condition of the roads. On the opening night, boxes were occupied by Mr. George Tomlin- son, W. D. Page, C. M. Smith and T. H. Bussey, each with a party of friends. Quite a number of former residents, in Perry to spend the holidays, were present on the opening night. The receipts amounted to $287.50, which was turned over to the . Commissioners for the benefit of the scenery fund, those who took part in the production having willingly given their ser- vices for that purpose.
The Commissioners made an itemized report of their re- ceipts and expenditures in a detailed statement to the Town Board, under date of May 27th, 1897, with vouchers, showing
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expenditures of $24,715.59, receipts amounting to $18,697.79, leaving unpaid bills amounting to $6,017.82. The property passed from their control into the hands of the Town Board, and payment of the last indebtedness was made several years ago.
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TOWN HALL AND POST OFFICE
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THEATRES, PUBLIC HALLS, HOTELS, ETC.
One of the criticisms frequently heard at the time of the construction of the building was that it would prove to be an elephant on the hands of the town ; another that it would never see the time that the house would be filled for an entertain- ment. In view of the fact that at school commencements as well as on numerous other occasions it has been filled to over- flowing, the criticism now heard is that the building is not large enough. Whatever the criticisms may be at this time, if the misfortune should occur that the building became des- troyed, it is doubtful if there would be much opposition to an effort to replace it with even a larger and better cne, as its use- fulness to the town is generally acknowledged.
Among the hotels that have previously been mentioned, we make special reference to the property now occupied by The Tavern for the reason that from early in the history of Perry, the property had been used for hotel purposes. Sherman & Skid- more were among the earliest of its proprietors. Mr. Skidmore soon became the sole proprietor, and after his death in about the year 1838, his widow married Mosely Stoddard, who con- ducted the hotel for a brief period. In the late 40's, the late Mr. A. B. Walker, who had been conducting the National Hotel across the street, purchased the property and managed the hotel until its destruction by fire in 1857, when he removed to Canada. It was while in charge of this hotel that Mr. Walker conceived the scheme of bringing the Silver Lake sea serpent into existence.
Eleven years later, Mr. Walker returned to Perry and erected the Walker House (now The Tavern,) using as part of it a private residence which stood near the property of Charles Bow on the Center road, previously occupied by a Mr. Butler, and removed to the site on the east side of Main street. The
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T
The Walker House, which stood on the present site of The Tavern. It was the birthplace of Mrs. A. J. Wood (Carrie Walker) and was destroyed by fire in 1857. Engraving reproduction from an old daguerrotype.
Walker House opened for the transaction of business in Sep- tember, 1869. After a few years, Mr. Walker sold the property to Benjamin H. Harford and moved to the old National Hotel across the street. This building was afterward purchased by Charles Wise, who removed it to its present site on Covington street, remodeled it and named it Hotel Covington, and used its Main street site for the location of the present Wise Block. Mr. Walker died in 1889, before its removal to Covington
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street, passing away in the same building in which he began his career as a hotel proprietor.
After the opening of the Silver Lake Railway, Mr. Walker purchased property at Silver Lake and erected the present Walker House, which he conducted for a period of 15 years. The property has since been conducted by his son-in-law, Mr. A. J. Wood.
A. B. WALKER
After the death of Mr. Walker, the hotel was leased to C. M. Edgerly, Charles Mckay and Edward Hamilton, until it was purchased as above noted by Charles Wise and removed to Covington street and renamed the Hotel Covington. Since that time the house has been conducted by a Mr. Sackett, the late Amos Bauer and his widow.
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About 30 years ago, T. H. Bussey purchased the Harford House of the late B. IL. Harford and renamed it Hotel Perry.
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It was conducted for a time by the late Merritt Andrus, suc- ceeded in turn by Mr. Bussey and J. A. Clement. After Mr.
THE TAVERN
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THEATRES, PUBLIC HALLS, HOTELS, ETC.
Clement's removal, the house was conducted for about six months by Mr. Bussey, who leased it to G. H. Sanford. Mr. San- ford conducted it for a period of 12 years, until the Summer of 1914, when Mr. Bussey again took the management. The house was remodeled and renamed The Tavern.
CHAPTER XIX
The Most Costly Fires Suffered by Perry-Organization of the Vol- unteer Fire Department and Company Divisions-Department Buildings-Motor Fire Truck, Etc.
Prior to the organization of the Fire Department in 1887, Perry had no systematic method of fire protection. Up to that time the only means of fighting fires was by the use of the time- honored "bucket brigade." The rapid tolling of a church bell or the blowing of a nearby factory whistle was the signal for the male citizens of the village to seize all of the available buck- ets and pails of the household and rally at the scene of the fire. Then it was that the bucket brigade would form in line, one end at the fire and the other extremity at the nearest cistern, pump or ereek, and by passing the pails the length of the line, a certain amount of water found its way to the fire. Although some effectiveness was accomplished by this method, especially when the fire had not gained much headway, it was not equal to the handling of extensive fires and the result was that Perry suffered several conflagrations before the organization of the regularly equipped fire department in June, 1887.
On Saturday, Sept. 20th, 1856, the first of the great fires in Perry occurred. The buildings burned at that time were occupied by Alexander Cole's shoe store, Seymour Sherman's jewelry store, M. N. Crocker's photograph car and S. & B. B. Higgins' drug store. These buildings occupied the property from the corner of Borden avenue north, including the present site of the Caswell block and the M. S. Sweet building adjoin- ing. Soon after the fire, Mr. Crocker erected a building on Covington street, now occupied by his son, Dr. F. M. Crocker, and conducted a photograph studio there for many years.
Fire of 1856, from drawing by Luther Glasgow.
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Five days later, another large fire visited Perry's business section, this time consuming a row of buildings standing on the west side of Main street, from the Traver residence to Lake street, also burning some buildings on Lake street. The steeple on the old Methodist church caught fire, but with heroic work on the part of the citizens, the church was saved. The buildings destroyed were occupied (beginning at the south end of Main street) by R. H. Smith, general store; Smith's Bank ; M. C. Wil- liams and Rufus Stedman's grocery; Rufus Brayton's dry goods store; J. B. Shearman's shoe store : R. C. Mordoff's hat store ; Perry Times printing office ; Postoffice; I. O. O. F. and F. & A. M. lodge rooms; David Lacy's meat market ; S. & F. Bullard's harness shop, which stood on the corner of Main and Lake streets. On Lake street, Wmn. Wheeler's blacksmith shop; and the residences of Deacon John Westlake and Mr. Thayer were destroyed. The loss of buildings was mainly with Rufus H. Smith, who carried no insurance. It was generally supposed that these two fires were the work of ineendiaries. Several young men who had recently begun business, lost their all by these fires.
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