USA > New York > Wyoming County > Perry > History of the town of Perry, New York > Part 21
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The Polish "White Eagle" Band was organized about the year 1910 among employees of the Perry Knitting Co. and has been an important factor in the social life of the Polish resi- dents of the community. It is attractively uniformed and well equipped otherwise and is a capable musical organization.
CHAPTER XXIV
Secret Organizations-Early Institution of Lodges of Masons and Odd Fellows in Perry-Their Lapses and Reorganization-Pres- ent Conditions Flourishing.
Free Masonry is undoubtedly the most ancient institution among secret orders, embracing among its members men of every rank and condition, of every nation and elime, and stands among the first of those institutions established for the improvement of mankind. Its origin may be said to have been lost in remote antiquity. Some writers date its origin further back than the Druidical mysteries; others go back to 1950 B. C. The orders of architecture and their origin and uses, which subject is treated quite extensively in Masonry, had its origin about 1000 B. C. Many writers claim that the mysteries were handed down from Ceres, who introduced them into Athens about 1356 B. C. The popular faith of its deciples ascribes its foundations to circumstances connected with the erection of the first Jewish temple by King Soloman. Written records of meetings extend back only to A. D. 926.
The first provincial Grand Lodge of the United States was established in Boston in 1733. In 1781 the Grand Lodge of New York was instituted, and on March 6th, 1819, granted a charter to Constellation Lodge No. 320, located at Perry, Gene- see County, N. Y., authorizing them to confer the first three degrees in Ancient Craft Masonry.
The petitioners were: John Gibb, Levi Benton, Warren Buckland, George Mordoff, James Waterhouse, Thomas Edg- erly, Hiram Wright, Charles Tripp, Samuel D. Bishop, James Hammersley, Jared Whitney, John Bowers, and Ebenezer Hig- gins, Jr. The first officers were : Ebenezer Higgins, W. M ..; George Mordoff, S. W .; Charles Leonard, J. W. The first re-
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turns to 1820 showed the following additional officers : Thomas Edgerly, secretary ; Horace Bingham, treasurer ; Hiram Wright and Rufus Brayley, P. W. M's. At that time it showed the fol- lowing named additional members : Charles Burlingham, Peter Clark, Nathan Chichester, Edward Camp, Smith Finch, Otis Higgins, Selden Higgins, John D. Langdon, Peter Sedam, Jona- than Woodbury, John Bowen, Allen Miller and Samuel E. Phoenix.
The first meetings of the local branch of the order were held on the second floor of the old log school building which was erected in 1816 on the corner of Lake and Short streets. The original charter was forfeited in 1835, probably because of the strong anti-Masonic feeling that arose because of the mys- terious disappearance of Wm. Morgan of Batavia, author of a book purporting to disclose the secrets of Free Masonry. The agitation which followed his disappearance in 1829 caused many desertions by those affiliated with the order, and many charters in this section were surrendered.
On July 5th, 1856, the Grand Lodge granted a charter to Charles W. Hendee and Henry E. Daniels, and other petition- ers, who adopted the name previously used by Perry Masons, and Constellation Lodge No. 404 came into existence. 1862, this charter was also surrendered, and during ten years the sound of the gavel was not heard in Perry. In 1872 the charter was restored, and since that there has been no interruption of its existence.
Since 1856, the following named have presided as Masters over its deliberations : Charles W. Hendee, Edwin M. Read, Horace M. Daniells, Milo H. Olin, Marshall S. Nobles, John J. Martin, Gilbert R. Traver, Albert H. Lowing, John F. Gates, Robert R. Dow, Philip S. Goodwin, Elmer J. Abbott, Thomas H. Donnelly, W. Dennison Olmstead, Sidney J. Jenckes, J. Robert Brownell, Fred M. Washburn, A. W. Hotaling. Kendall P. Smith is the Master-elect.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF PERRY
In the great fire which occurred in May, 1891, the lodge room was totally destroyed, together with all paraphernalia and many valuable documents, causing a severe loss over and above the insurance ; but they arose from the ashes and at the annual session of the Grand Lodge, the following June, they obtained a duplicate of their charter.
For a long time there was agitation for a permanent home of their own, but the matter did not take definite shape until
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MASONIC TEMPLE
the latter part of 1907. On Jan. 18th, 1909, the organization purchased the building and site on Main street that had for many years been known as the Columbus P. Andrus residence property for a consideration of $5,000. It is a significant fact that Ebenezer Higgins, who was probably the prime mover in
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FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS
instituting Free Masonry in Perry and was the first Master of the first lodge, coming here in 1818, for many years made his home on the site now occupied by the temple.
Following the purchase of the site, the members became active in raising funds to secure their cherished plan of a suit- able temple for a permanent home and met with such success that the corner stone of the building was laid on October 9th, 1914. Delegations were present from surrounding towns, the city of Buffalo being represented by 25, some of them members of the Grand Lodge. Practically the entire membership of Constellation Lodge was present at their rooms at 2 o'clock in the afternoon of that day, and in company with the visiting brethren they marched in a line of twos to the site of the tem- ple, where exercises were conducted as follows: Selection by a male quartet composed of J. C. Herzberger, Walter Morse, Dr. F. M. Crocker and B. L. Mayhew; proclamation by Grand Marshal W. H. Ellis of Buffalo; opening of the Grand Lodge by Deputy Grand Master Thomas Penny of Buffalo; prayer by Grand Chaplain Rev. George E. Price of LeRoy ; singing of the hymn "America," by the assemblage; presentation of silver trowel to Grand Master Penny by Worshipful Master Dr. F. M. Washburn, on behalf of Constellation Lodge. The order of ser- vice was : Presentation of box containing memorials, by Grand Treasurer J. R. Brownell ; reading of contents of box by Grand Secretary W. D. Olmstead; depositing the box by Grand Treas- urer; presentation of working tools by Master Architect George C. Fox; laying the stone by Grand Master Penny ; test- ing the stone by Deputy Grand Master P. S. Goodwin, Senior Grand Warden John G. Wallenmeier, Jr., and Junior Grand Warden S. L. Strivings. Consecration : Scattering the corn by Deputy Grand Master ; pouring the wine by Senior Grand War- den ; sprinkling the oil by Junior Grand Warden; invocation by Grand Master; oration by Rev. George E. Price; proclamation
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF PERRY
by Grand Marshal; music by quartet and Lodge; benediction by the Grand Chaplain.
The property represents a total investment of about $30,000, which includes furnishings.
The first regular meeting in the new Temple was held on the night of Sept. 15th, 1915, when the members met in their lodge rooms in the Olin block, adjourned and marched in a body to their beautiful new home.
Silver Lake Lodge No. 106, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was granted a charter on Jan. 25th, 1844, the pe- titioners therefor being : Isaac N. Stoddard, Harry Brown, Jos- iah N. Higgins, Jared D. Turrell and Anson D. Smith. The lodge was instituted on Feb. 9th. 1844. by W. L. G. Smith, D. D. G. M. In the year 1862 the charter was surrendered, and those of its members who desired to retain their membership in the Order were obliged to affiliate with lodges in other towns. In August. 1891, a few of the Odd Fellows who were residents of Perry procured a special dispensation and began the work of securing new members. These brothers were John Stockwell, Leonard Tuthill, Frank Richards, Myron Wilcox and Warren Preston. John Stockwell was chosen Noble Grand and held the office until Jan. 4th, 1892, when he was succeeded by Leonard Tuthill. On Aug. 18th, 1891 a charter was granted and on Sept. 24th of that year the lodge was duly instituted by J. O. Williams. D. D. G. M. Crystal Salt Lodge No. 505, of Warsaw, was present in a body, and performed the first installation of officers. The ceremonies were held in the third story of the old Bailey block on the corner of Main and Covington streets. Later, lodge rooms were secured over Robert Stainton's dry goods store, in the brick block between the Owen and Cole blocks. In June, 1892, the hall owned by C. P. Andrus in the third story of the Andrus brick block and on the 16th it was ded-
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FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS
icated to the uses of the organization. This was the regular meeting place of the lodge during a period of 18 years, at the end of which time they purchased the J. W. Olin brick block on the corner of Covington and Short streets and fitted their pres- ent attractive and commodious quarters for their temple. The new quarters were dedicated on Nov. 20th, 1910.
The following named are those who held the office of Noble Grand of Silver Lake Lodge No. 614, since the second charter was granted in 1891 : John Stockwell, L. C. Tuthill, J. H. Terry, A. C. Bryant, E. U. Wilcox, T. H. Donnelly, J. C. Lillibridge, S. V. Buttles, S. E. Stow, Frank Dresher, B. F. Rollah, A. F. Davis, O. B. Finch. V. H. Badger, A. W. Waufle, C. G. Clarke, T. R. Douglas, J. B. Townsend, H. H. Kittle, J .H. Wilcox, M. A. Russell, M. F. Streeter, A. W. Hotaling, B. C. Shaw, J. T. Smith, A. C. Way, James McIntyre, Leonard Fish, L. S. Chap- man, S. L. Pike, James E. Wade, R. H. Cone, John Stapleton, D. G. Bush, Luke Warner, John Scott, Wmn. A. Noble, Charles Freeman, Fred Mason, Edwin R. Kershaw, Roy F. Hewitt, Ray- mond Taylor, Leslie Handley, A. J. Noble, Paul Hoeppner, Gus- taf Peterson.
Various other fraternal organizations have come into exist- ence during the later years of the town's existence, some of which have passed into history, while others are in a flourish- ing condition at the present time, but there number is so many that it is possible to mention particularly only the two referred to, which are the oldest and the best known.
CHAPTER XXV
Silver Lake Agricultural and Mechanical Association-Wyoming Historical and Pioneer Association, Originator of Annual Pioneer Picnic at Silver Lake.
This organization came into existence at a meeting held on the 25th of October, 1879, and the following named gentle- men subscribed as charter members: John S. Westlake, Rufus H. Stedman, Moses C. Williams, Hugh M. Seranton, George Tomlinson, Lewis E. Chapin, Marshall S. Nobles, Willard J. Chapin, George H. Wright and Samuel A. Hatch. The objects of the Association were the promotion and advancement of agriculture, horticulture, mechanical arts and household indus- try. In less than a year from the date of the meeting a stock company had been formed with a capital of $7,000, of which $5,000 had been subscribed, 20 acres of land had been purch- ased from George H. Wright and David Andrus. and enclosed. A first-class half-mile track was constructed at a cost of more than $1100, judges' stand, pens, stables and a secretary's office had been built. The track was surveyed by Henry Bates of Hornell and was constructed by Messrs. Wright and Shepard of Perry. R. W. Brigham was the first president of the organi- zation and Lewis E. Chapin its first secretary. The first fair was held on Thursday and Friday, October 7th and 8th, 1880. There were 6000 people in attendance. and 916 entries in the several departments. The best racing time 2 :331/4 for the mile, which was considered fast for that time. The grand stand and exhibition hall were constructed during the following year. In 1912 the grand stand was destroyed by fire, and a new and more commodious one was soon afterward erected.
Situated as we are, in the center of a fine agricultural com- munity, where industries are not lacking, the institution of the Silver Lake Agricultural and Mechanical Association met with
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SILVER LAKE AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION
the instant approval of the residents and acquired the hearty co-operation of all of those people who could properly come within its jurisdiction. During the 36 years of its existence
RANDALL W. BRIGHAM
the management has kept pace with the wonderful growth of the town, and its annual exhibitions attract thousands of people to Perry.
WYOMING HISTORICAL AND PIONEER ASSOCIATION
In the early Fall of 1872, the late Jonathan Sleeper of Perry and the late Myron Locke of Castile met at Silver Lake. In the course of their conversation, Mr. Sleepr said : "Myron, how would it do to have some handbills printed, advertising an
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF PERRY
old folks' picnic to be held at the lake some time this Fall?" Mr. Locke replied that he thought it a good suggestion, and to- gether the two men arranged the preliminary details for a good old-fashioned outing. The supposition was that there might be about 50 people present on the day appointed, but when the time came there were nearly 300 in attendance. During the course of the exercises, it was proposed to hold another meeting the following year. The attendance at this second gathering was so large that it was decided to institute a permanent organ- ization. During the first few years the meetings were held in Saxton's grove. Logs with planks across them served for seats. As the gatherings increased in size and the interest deepened, it was proposed to buy a lot and erect a building thereon for the purpose of establishing a home for the organization. An appli- cation signed by - six constituent members of the association was presented to the State for a charter, which was granted in 1874, under the name of the "Wyoming Historical and Pioneer Association."
Two acres of land in the grove owned by the late Samuel Sharp were purchased in 1877 and plans were drawn for a pio- neer log cabin, 25x40 feet, one and one-half stories high. The work of building the cabin was done voluntarily, the logs being contributed and hauled to the ground. Many turned in and gave a helping hand, and a society in Perry gave an entertain- ment, the proceeds of which were used to purchase the shingles for the roof. The cabin was completed in time for the annual gathering in 1878. At the time of its transfer to the Associa- tion by the building committee, there was an incumbrance of $162.00 on the building. Some one present suggested that a life membership ticket be issued, giving the holder all of the privileges of the Association upon payment of one dollar each, with the result that the dollars were handed to the secretary faster than he could write the receipts. In this way enough
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WYOMING HISTORICAL AND PIONEER ASSOCIATION
money was raised in a few minutes' time to pay the entire in- debtedness. The present auditorium was erected by the Assoc- iation in 1896.
For nearly half a century the festival gatherings have been held, and the multitudes that assemble there annually is posi- tive proof of its popularity.
Mr. Robert Grisewood, who was one of the early settlers of Perry. spent much time in collecting ancient relics and cur-
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ALPHEUS S. SIMMONS
Trustee of Pioneer Association, and for many years Custodian of the Log Cabin, he was a familiar figure to visitors at the Lake.
ios to be placed on exhibition in the pioneer cabin. He met with much success in his search, which extended throughout
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF PERRY
the county, and to the collection thus started, additions have been made from time to time by voluntary contributions. As one enters the cabin, it has the appearance of a pioneer's home. The open fireplace, with all kinds of cooking utensils in their proper places, is on one side. On shelves adjoining the chim- ney is the household crockery. In the opposite corner is the old-fashioned stairway by which the second floor may be reached. At the other end of the room, in one corner, is the primitive bedstead, which was made by boring holes into the logs at the end and side of the building, and driving in two poles, which project far enough for the length and width of the bed. The poles are supported at the ends by one post. Long strips of barks are woven between the poles and logs, on which the bed is made. The canopy is spread six feet from the floor, as in the olden time, to protect the bedclothing from the dirt that may come from above. Underneath is a trundle-bed for the children.
In the center of the room are placed several large show cases, where the smaller curiosities are kept under lock and key. Hanging from the walls in every conceivable place are seen hundreds of valuable relies, which, if lost or destroyed, could never be duplicated. At the top of the stairway at the south of the cabin, is a well lighted attic filled with interesting mementoes of pioneer days. Among these is the famous old wooden mold-board plow, made for four yoke of oxen; the mail bag used in the long ago to carry the mail from Geneseo to Angelica; old grain fans, harness, etc. In one corner of the room is a high bedstead made of black walnut, which was for- merly the property of a Missouri slave-holder. Hanging from the rafters are frames filled with photographs of prominent pioneers. On the main floor is the desk that was used by the late Grover Cleveland at the time that he was mayor of the City of Buffalo, and many other equally valuable relics associ-
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WYOMING HISTORICAL AND PIONEER ASSOCIATION
ated with the history of Western New York as well as with this immediate locality.
The great accumulation of these priceless relics and the fact that they are in a building that might be destroyed by fire prompted the trustees of the Association to ask that the people of this county vote an appropriation of $5,000 for a suitable museum building that would be at least measurably fire-proof and light and attractive for the care and display of these relics, permitting the pioneer cabin to be solely what it was designed to be, a typical home of the people of the early days. It is. hoped that the value and importance of such a building will impress itself upon our people. When given an opportunity to vote upon the proposition it was defeated, but it is hoped that if it shall be presented again a favorable vote will result, per- mitting the county to have a museum and historical representa- tion of the things that are of inestimable educational value to the coming generations.
Nearly every one in this locality has seen the section of the big tree which stands upon platform just outside of the log cabin referred to, but few have learned of its early history. For centuries this tree stood as a landmark in this section; first for the native American, and then for the pioneer. It grew in a part of the Town of Pavilion, on the farm formerly owned by Calvin Dutton, and was known far and near as "the Giant Tree of Western New York." It measured 50 feet in circumference at the base, and about the year 1834, at the raising of a house on the farm, 40 men and boys gathered together at one time in the hollow of this tree. There was a sort of doorway or en- trance into it, supposed to have been cut by Indians, who found in its capacious hollow, both shelter and rest. That it was known and honored by them the earlier history of the country shows, and the Batavia and Leicester road, which ran near the tree, was called by them "The Big Tree Road." A large part
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF PERRY
of its top had fallen as long ago as 1815, yet the vitality of the ' trunk was preserved until the last. Two of the lower limbs of the tree were broken off about the year 1857, and one of them measured 12 feet in circumference. Conjecture as to its age
Steamer "Nellie Palmer," built in 1864 by public subscription. She was the first large steamer on Silver Lake and was the pride of the people for a number of years. She was about 50 feet long by 20 feet wide, with two decks and a carrying capacity of 150 passengers. She was of the side wheel pattern and could navigate in shallower water than her successors. She burned at her dock several years after the launching of her interesting car- eer. She was named after Miss Nellie Palmer of this place, whose grandfa- ther was the largest contributor to the fund for the boat's construction.
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WYOMING HISTORICAL AND PIONEER ASSOCIATION
and height is vain. Many people believe it to have been at least 2,000 years old. Its resistance to decay, even after being ยท bruised and broken, indicate remarkable longevity. The giant tree fell about the year 1875, during a severe electrical storm, and the portion of its base now at the pioneer grounds was placed there about the year 1880.
CHAPTER XXVI
Perry Public Library, the Realization of a Long-Cherished Dream~ Beautiful Building Situated on an Ideal Site-Its Steady De- velopment.
The dream of a public library in Perry had been cherished by many of its people for a number of years, as a particularly desirable institution demanded by the growth of the place. A circulating library was in existence for ten years or more, made possible by the enterprise of some of the women and men who were interested in the better class of historical and educational works as well as of fiction. A library was maintained in con- nection with the High School, and the friends of each hoped that they would some day form the nucleus of a public library that would better meet the growing needs of the community, to be housed in a suitable building that would be a home for such an institution and at the same time an ornament to the public buildings in the town. The first definite step in the agi- tation for a public library was made a few years ago, when Mrs. L. A. Macomber gave the sum of $25 to the Mutual Friends Club to be used as a "nest egg" for the library fund, that organization being perhaps the most active in the agita- tion of the project.
An ideal site for the location of the proposed building was the practically abandoned old cemetery on North Main street, on the east side, a short distance above the corner of Main and Church streets. There were difficulties in the way, which re- quired special legislation to overcome, and the aid of Thomas H. Bussey of Perry, then State Senator from the 44th District, was enlisted to secure such legislation as would give to the town the permanent use of the site for the purpose proposed. He therefore introduced and secured the passage of a bill which
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PERRY PUBLIC LIBRARY
granted such rights to the town at the legislative session of 1912, becoming a law on May 7th of that year.
After considerable study of the matter and of the best method to secure a realization of the project, Mrs. L. A. Ma- comber, Mrs. W. H. McClelland and Miss Anna Dibble, a com- mittee representing the Mutual Friends Club. the oldest literary organization in the town, called upon Supervisor W. D. Page on March 1st, 1911, and requested him to communicate with Mr. Andrew Carnegie, to see if that philanthropist could not be induced to bestow his favor upon Perry, as he had done upon many other towns and cities of the country. Mr. Page at once took up the matter, and after a correspondence cover- ing a period of about a year, secured as a result of the solic- itation, an agreement from the Carnegie Corporation to give the sum of $12,000 for a library building, providing the people of the Town of Perry would furnish an acceptable site and vote to assure an annual appropriation of ten per cent, for its maintenance. The site was provided, as above referred to, in furnishing the old cemetery property, and a special town election was held on Tuesday, Oct. 8th, 1912, to vote upon the proposition to raise annually the sum of $1200 for the main- tenance of a public library. There was 336 ballots cast, of , which 286 were affirmative and 44 negative, four void and two blank.
Plans for the proposed Library building were submitted by a number of architects, but those of Mr. Beverly S. King of New York meeting with the most favor and the fact being learned that he had furnished plans for many similar buildings, it was deemed advisable by the Town Board, under whose sup- ervision the work must be performed, to have them drawn by an architect especially qualified in such matters by experience gained of requirements in places of this size, and of buildings to meet the special needs. It was decided, therefore, to employ
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF PERRY
Mr. King, his plans meeting the approval of the Carnegie Cor- poration as well as the Perry people.
The plans were finally accepted during the week of May 7th, 1913, and the contraet was let to Mr. Wm. A. Austin of Perry on the 6th day of June, for the sum of $11,400, exclusive of the lighting fixtures. Ground was broken for the building on the 6th day of July, following, and it was completed in the Spring of 1914. On the 27th of May, at a special meeting of the Town Board, the following named were appointed as Library Trustees to serve until the biennial town election in
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