USA > New York > Steuben County > Landmarks of Steuben County, New York > Part 23
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GEORGE W. PRATT.
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THE PRESS.
1891. From July, 1869, to November, 1874, T. S. De Wolf was inter- ested in the paper, and Harry H. Pratt soon afterward became associ- ate editor. The Journal, in both daily and weekly editions, is a Re- publican paper, representing and advocating true party principles ; and is the recognized organ of the party in the county and State.
The Corning Democrat has its origin in the Corning Semi-Weekly Sun, a paper established and published by M. M. Pomeroy and P. C. Van Gelder, beginning in 1853. Mr. Pomeroy, both in Corning and elsewhere, became a noted writer, and was for many years familiarly known as " Brick " Pomeroy. However, in 1854 the Sun passed into the hands of Rev. Ira Brown, who published it weekly as The Southern Tier Farmer. At later periods the paper was managed by C. T. Huson and Frank B. Brown, as partners, under whom the name Corning Dem- ocrat was adopted. From November, 1859, to June, 1885, the paper was owned by Mr. Brown, but since that time the firm name of F. B. Brown & Son as appeared as editors and publishers. The daily edition of the Democrat was first published in 1884. Both daily and weekly editions are Democratic in politics, emphatic, perhaps, in utterances, yet consistent and representing the best interests of the party in county, State and Nation.
The Corning Independent made its appearance in local journalism in Corning in December, 1874, under control of P. S. De Wolf, but in 1876 was sold to Dr. A. J. Ingersoll who continued it as a Greenback paper, though under the editorial management of Uri Mulford. The paper suspended publication in 1879.
The Evening Chronicle, a daily newspaper, independent in politics, was started in Corning on May 4, 1891, by Edward Mott, and enjoyed a brief season of public attention.
Among the other temporary newspapers of the vicinity of Corning, we may mention the Painted Post Gazette, established in 1846, by Mr. Fairchild and continued a few months. The Painted Post Herald was founded by Ransom Bennett and B. M. Hawley in 1848, and continued a single year. The Painted Post Times was begun in October, 1870, by Wm. C. Bronson, H. C. Higman and S. H. Ferenbaugh, and was continued with indifferent success until 1877.
The first attempt to start a newspaper in Hornellsville was successful,
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LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY
and the paper then founded has been in continuous and successful ope- ration to the present time. On the 3d of November, 1851, Edwin Hough established the Hornellsville Tribune, and it was, as Mr. Tuttle says " the faithful chronicler of the progress of the vicinity. At first an independent paper, it became Democratic for about two years, but es- poused the Republican cause with the organization of that party and remained so until its sale in 1869 to D. R. Shafer." From that until the present time the Tribune has been Democratic in politics, firm and undoubted in its utterances, yet consistent throughout, and to-day the paper, both daily and weekly, is regarded as the organ of the party in the county, and one of its strongest exponents in the southern tier. Says Mr. Tuttle : "The Tribune has been published, successively, by Edwin Hough, Hough & Kinney, Hough & Baker, E. Hough & Son, Hough & Beecher, E. H. Hough, D. R. Shafer, Greenhow & Son, and W. H. Greenhow, he now being sole owner and publisher." In 1870 John and W. H. Greenhow purchased the paper, and in 1880 the first mentioned sold his interest to Charles F. Peck. W. H. Greenhow became owner of the Tribune in December, 1884. The daily edition of the Tribune was first issued February 4, 1878, as an afternoon paper.
The National American was established February 13, 1856, by D. C. Pruner and C. M. Harmon, but in September, 1858, passed into the hands of Charles A. Kinney who changed its name to The Canisteo Valley Journal. Three years later, January, 1861, the paper was sold to R. S. Lewis, and he made it Republican in politics. However, in 1862 its publication was discontinued.
The Democratic Vidette was formed by Burdick Bros., September 28, 1865, and was thereafter published successively by Burdick & Cooper, John M. Riley & Co., A. J. Riley & Co., and William H Baldwin. The owner last mentioned, who was a writer of more than ordinary force and ability, sold the paper to Thacher & Tuttle, who changed its name to The Canisteo Valley Times, and made it Republican in politics from January 10, 1867. Concerning its subsequent history, Mr. Tuttle says, " Others connected with the editorial management of the Times were Johnson Brigham, H. S. Tomer, and John W. Mack." Following the retirement of Mr. Thacher, in 1877, the Times has been published, in turn, by R. M. Tuttle, Tuttle & Brigham, Johnson Brigham, Tomer,
R. M. TUTTLE.
235
THE PRESS.
Dolson & Jackman, Dolson & Mack, J. S. Dolson, and the Times As- sociation, the latter now owners and publishers, with Russell M. Tuttle as editor, and A. H. Bunnell as business manager." The Times is the organ of the Republican party of the county at large, and not of any faction of the party ; holding firmly to Republican principles and not , easily swayed by party prejudices and contentions. In all departments the paper, in both editions, is well edited and managed, and is received favorably throughout the southern tier. The daily edition began with the Daily News, published first by Benzinger & Osincup, Octo- ber 22, 1877. Tuttle & Brigham purchased it February 25, 1878, en- larged and materially improved it, and changed the name to Daily Times. Originally this was an evening daily, but became a morning paper in September, 1883.
The Saturday Herald, one of Hornellsville's best weekly newspapers, had its origin in an advertising sheet issued by several prominent mer- chants of the then village, conspicuous among whom was M. A. Tuttle. The paper was called the Economist, and was published every week for about a year, being then purchased by Graham & Dawson and changed n name at least, to the Hornellsville Herald. It soon espoused the cause of Prohibition and was ably edited by Mr. Graham. However, in 1876, E. H. Hough purchased the paper, who, with his son, under the style of Herald Publishing Company, now conduct it. The change in name to Saturday Herald was made in March, 1893.
The Reveille, a paper devoted to the interests of the Greenback party, began publication in Hornellsville on January 19, 1878, under the man- agement of J. Willett Smith, the press work, however, being done in the Tribune office. After two weeks James D. Adams bought the Reveille, brought a printing equipment from Andover, and continued the paper under the name of the Greenback Champion for a year when publication was suspended. Soon afterward Daniel Healey purchased the material and produced the Invincible, and the latter gave way in June, 1881, to The Daily Independent, an evening paper under the management of Tolan Bros. & Shattuck. It suspended December 25, 1881.
The Steuben Signal, a Prohibition newspaper, was established April 4, 1883, under the direction the "Signal Publishing Company," and was published five years before suspension.
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LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
The Era, a Labor party paper, was established in 1887, by S. H. Jennings, and continued one year.
The Daily Press, another and in fact the last new venture in Horn- ellsville journalism, was established March 9, 1889, by the Press Pub- lishing Company, consisting of John Tolan and Leon Hough. The paper was printed on the Herald press. In February, 1890, Mr. Tolan purchased a printing outfit and continued the Press as sole proprietor. It was an independent evening paper, and remained in existence, though with many vicissitudes, until 1894 when publication ceased.
The Prattsburgh News, a bright, lively and interesting weekly news- paper published by P. C. Howe's Sons, was established December 12, 1872, by P. C. Howe & Sons, and was successor to the still older local paper known as the Prattsburgh Advertiser, which Caleb B. Hoke founded several years before. The News is an excellent family paper, devoted especially to the interests of the north part of the county. Its directory feature is valuable, while its market reports give it a large and deserved circulation.
The Hammondsport Herald was established May 1, 1874, by Mrs. Benjamin Bennitt and Mrs. E. B. Fairchild, ladies well known in local literary circles, and both interested in the welfare of the Pleasant Valley region. After a year of successful management Mrs. Bennitt retired from the paper, and at the end of another year (in December, 1876,) Llewelyn H. Brown purchased a half interest in the Herald. In 1876 Mr. Brown became and has since been sole owner and publisher of the paper. It is issued weekly and is an independent family journal, enjoy- ing a good circulation and advertising patronage.
The Union Advertiser, published at Wayland by H. B. Newell, was established in the fall of 1863 by its present proprietor, although for a time the paper was owned by Newell Brothers. It is an independent family newspaper, devoted to general news and a thorough representa- tion of Wayland interests.
The Wayland Register made its initial appearance in Wayland village on the Ist of May, 1889, under the editorial management of C. F. Dean. This, too, has been a successful venture in local affairs and received generous support. It is now edited and published by Bert Goodno.
The Southern Steuben Republican was founded in 1879 by R. C. Park
Eng. by James R. Rice & Sons, Phila.
impJamison
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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
under the name of Steuben Sentinel, having its office at Troupsburg, but in 1880 removed to Woodhull. It was formerly an independent paper, but now, as the name implies, advocates Republican principles.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
The medical profession of Steuben county has preserved but little of its history, and while there are a few meagre records by which we may learn the proceedings and membership of the medical societies that have been formed, there are no data upon which can be based a history of the development of the profession. The great advance in all branches of art and science during the last century has indeed been marvelous, but in none has there been greater progress than in medi- cine and surgery.
This science which now sheds its light throughout the civilized world began with Hippocrates nearly twenty-three hundred years ago, and he first treated of medicine with the simplest remedies, relying chiefly on the healing power of nature. He wrote extensively, and many of his works were translated and served as a foundation for succeeding litera- ture of the profession. The greatest advance in medical science, how- ever, has been made during the last one hundred years, and chiefly dur- ing the last half century.
Evolution and development are the watchwords of the nineteenth century, and it is no longer universally believed that this world was created by supernatural power, for many of our deepest thinkers, men of the most profound understanding, believe it has been gradually un- folded by the action of natural causes. But, not wishing to be accused of heresy, it may be stated that whether the theory be according to Darwin, or Haekel, or Spencer, or some other philosopher, the law will be the same in any case, and away back, behind " protoplasm;" " germ- inal matter " and " cellular germ," there still exists abundant proof of a "first great cause," of an "infinite wisdom," for the depth of which lan-
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LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
guage hath not expression. A flood of light on this question is now pouring forth upon the world, but its acceptation as a convincing truth rests with the individual. Physiologists no longer believe with the practitioners of the sixteenth century that the plants have a direct and controlling action on the body, the sun upon the heart, or the moon upon the brain; nor do they now believe that the vital spirits are pre- pared in the brain by distillation. On the contrary, modern physiology teaches that the phenomena of the living body are the results of physi- cal and chemical changes; the temperature of the blood is now ascer- tained by the thermometer, and the different fluids and gases of the body are analyzed by the chemists, giving to each its own properties and functions.
There are now known to botanists more than 160,000 plants, of which a large proportion are constantly being added to the already appalling list of new remedies. Few of these drugs possess little, if any virtue, except as their sale adds to the profits of the dealer. The ancients were not so well supplied with drugs, and hence resorted to other meth- ods. It was a custom among the Babylonians to expose the sick to the view of passers-by in order to learn of them whether they had been afflicted with a like distemper and by what remedies they had been cured. It was also a custom of those days for all persons who had been sick to put up a tablet in the temple of Esculapius, whereon they gave an account of the remedies by which they had been restored. Prior to Hippocrates all medicines were in the hands of the priests, and were associated with numerous superstitions, such as charms, amulets, incan- tations, sympathetic ointments, and the like. And we may here add that all this credulous superstition of early ages, born of ignorance, has not been fully wiped out by the advanced education of the present day. One of the latest appeals to the credulity of the masses is the so-called " Christian Science," and also " Faith Cure," but so long as filth brings fever prayer will not interpose, and the persons seeking to popularize this means of cure are either deceived themselves or are deceiving others.
It is not our purpose, however, to treat of ancient or more modern medical history, and though a review of the progress in this science, from the time of Greek or Roman medical mythology, would be inter-
C. S. PARKHILL.
239
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
esting and instructive, it is hardly pertinent to the medical history of Steuben county, and our introductory observations are merely to sug- gest to the reader the difference betwen the ancient and modern means of healing.
Previous to the present century the State of New York, unlike Penn- sylvania and New England, had done very little to encourage science, and there were no schools of medicine worthy of the name nearer than Boston or Philadelphia. Few young men could then afford to go so far to qualify themselves for a profession which offered but little pecuniary inducement, hence the prevailing custom was for the medical aspirant to enter the office of some neighboring physician and read for two or three years, at the same time accompanying his tutor in his professional visits and learn his methods of practice. At the end of the term the young doctor would seek some promising field and begin practice.
The legislation which then regulated the practice of physicians was so defective as to be really worthless. In 1806, however, an act was passed repealing all former laws in reference to the profession and at the same time authorizing a general State Medical Society, and also county societies
Under the provisions of this law a medical society was organized in Steuben county, but at what precise date we are unable to determine, as the earliest records are not to be found. It is confidently believed, however, that the society was formed about the year 1815, though this belief is founded almost wholly on tradition.
Among the earlier members, previous to 1820, may be mentioned John D. Higgins, Willis F. Clark, Warren Patchin, Samuel Gorton, James Faulkner, Enos Barnes, John Warner, James Warden, Andrew Kingsbury, John P. Kennedy, Daniel Gilbert, Jacob Chatterton, Lyman N. Cook, Philo Andrews, Walter Wolcott, Thomas M. Brown, Noah Niles, Samuel Southworth, Simeon H. Goss and Joel Luther. The later members, yet all previous to 1830, were Robert F. Hoyt, Jonathan Lockwood, Samuel Scofield, Silas B. Hibbard, James Cutler, George W. Turner, Gustavus A. Rogers, Samuel B. Chidsey, Isaac L. Kidder, Milo Hurd, Levi S. Goodrich, David L. Wicks, Daniel H. Orcutt, M. C. Kel- logg, E. R. Pulling, Israel Chissom, Isaac Wixom, T. E. Ganesvoort, J. L. Livermore, F. E. Bateman, William Hunter, Samuel Olin, Levi
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LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
Fay, David Hotchkiss, Nathaniel Sheldon, Manning Kelly, Zenas S. Jackson, Sampson Stoddard, Winthrop E. Booth and David Ward, the latter being admitted to membership in the society in 1830.
The Steuben County Medical Society, in its early history, is remem- bered as having been an exceeding prosperous organization, and was at one time vested by law with seemingly extraordinary powers in the matter of receiving members, licensing practitioners and dismissing recalcitrants. It also had the power to establish fees and regulate, arbitrarily at times, the conduct of physicians and compel membership and obedience to its rules. Yet, during the long period of its existence, the society passed through many vicissitudes and has been threatened with complete disintegration, but an organization has ever been main- tained, and now its affairs are in a healthful condition (emblematic, per- haps, of the professional object of its members). However, even for the purposes of this record, the writer is embarrassed in not having access to the secretary's books, and is compelled to obtain the appended list of members from the published reports of the State Medical Society.
The officers for the year 1895 are as follows : President, Burtis R. Wakeman, Hornellsville; vice-president, Willis S. Cobb, Corning; sec- retary and treasurer, Chester K. Stewart, Bath.
Members .- H. R. Ainsworth, Addison ; M. L. Allen, Hammonds- port ; A. A. Aldrich, Addison; Eli Allison, Wayne ; Henry A. Argue, Corning ; M. T. Babcock, Hammondsport ; J. A. Bennett, Prattsburg ; H. M. Bourne, Corning; C. M. Brasted, Horrnellsville ; T. O. Bur- lison, Bath; Franklin Burr, Corning; George Conderman, Hornells- ville; Amelia A. Christie, Hornellsville; Willis S. Cobb, Corning ; D. F. Cridler, Hornellsville ; A. H Cruttenden, Bath ; Mrs. A. A. Dol- son, Hornellsville ; J. S. Dolson, Hornellsville ; Lewis Fitzsimmons, South Pulteney; T. B. Fowler, Cohocton; F. S. Gallagher, Naples ; A. L. Gilbert, North Cohocton ; H. Gilbert, Hornellsville ; H. S. Gil- lett, Savona; I. L. Goff; Cohocton; W. T. Green, Hornellsville ; W. W. Green, Prattsburg; Joseph Hoare, Corning; G. C. Hubbard, Hor- nellsville ; John S. Hubbs, Hammondsport; M. B. Hubbs, Addison ; C. O. Jackson, Cameron; Ambrose Kasson, Bath ; R. R. Kelly, Hor- nellsville; Arthur Kendall, Corning; George W. Lane, Corning; H. G. Mace, Wallace ; Thomas F. McNamara, Hornellsville ; J. D. Mitch-
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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
ell, Hornellsville; H. B. Nichols, Pulteney; S. B. H. Nichols, Corning ; W. E. Palmer, Hornellsville ; C. S. Parkhill, Hornellsville ; Myron H. Parkhill, Howard; R F. Parkhill, Howard; C. Patterson, Avoca ; Thomas H. Pawling, Bath; M. M. Perry, Troupsburg; Charles R. Phillips, Corning; Benjamin Pickett, Canisteo; A. D. Robbins, Corning ; C. B. Robertson, Towlesville ; Denton W. Rodgers, Hornells- ville ; Robert J. Scott, Prattsburg; W. Sheffield, Jasper ; I. P. Smith, Bath; W. W. Smith, Avoca; B. M. Spencer, Hornellsville; C. P. Stevens, Wallace ; Chester T. Stewart, Bath; P. K. Stoddard, Pratts- burg; Stephen M. Switzer, Bradford; C. J. Tower, Savona; J. H. Trumbull, Hornellsville; Burtis R. Wakeman, Hornellsville ; Eugene E. Webster, Hornellsville; Seymour C. Williamson, Canisteo; E. Winne, Haskinsville ; F. A. Wygant, Cohocton.
In the year 1867 the disciples of Similia Similibus Curantur in Steu- ben county sought an organization for the general welfare of their school of medicine and its representatives. In the early history of the county nothing whatever was known of homeopathy, and when the first physicians of this school came into the region they were regarded with distrust and suspicion by friends of the old school of practice, while the allopathists themselves regarded the newcomers as intruders and quacks. Indeed, homeopathy has been compelled to work its way through hardships and difficulties almost equal to those encountered by our pioneers in gaining a substantial foothold in a country inhabited only by enemies. But by steady advances in the hands of careful and competent representatives, this method of treatment has come to be re- garded with popular favor, and is recognized as sound and rational.
The organization referred to was effected on the 25th of May, 1861, and its result was the "Steuben County Homeopathic Medical Society," with these officers: A. De Wolfe, president; W. S. Purdy, vice presi- dent; James M. Cadmus, secretary ; B. F. Grant, H. S. Benedict and P. S. Hollett, censors.
The society maintained an active and successful existence for several years, and its members were chiefly from the eastern and northern por- tions of the county, with a few from the vicinity of Hornellsville ; but with the formation of the Southern Tier society there followed a decline in interest in the affairs of the local society, with ultimate disintegration.
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LANDMARKS OF STEUBEN COUNTY.
The Southern Tier Homeopathic Medical Association of the State of New York was organized at a largely attended meeting of homeopa- thists held in the city of Elmira on the 20th of January, 1874. Its members were chiefly from Chemung, Steuben and Schuyler counties, with a few from Tioga and Broome. This society has preserved intact its organization originally made, and built substantially upon a lasting foundation by procuring an incorporation on the 16th of April, 1878. However, the general rather than local character of this society makes it imprudent to furnish other than a mere outline of its history.
The Hornellsville Academy of Medicine was organized December 17, 1873, and continued in existence nearly ten years, and was dissolved through natural causes during the summer of 1883. The last meeting was held August 6, 1883. The objects of the society were worthy, the membership fairly good, but through imperfect organization and lack of interest, it was decided to terminate the existence of the body.
However, the medical profession of Hornellsville and vicinity soon felt the need of a professional organization other than the county society ; the well being of .the fraternity demanded such and the best medical practitioners were heartily in favor of the plan. The result was a meet- ing of the local physicians at the Page House in Hornellsville on the 3d of December, 1888, at which time the Hornellsville Medical and Surgi- cal Association was formed; and this formal organization was soon afterward made complete by incorporation under the State laws, there- by giving the association a standing in the State Medical Society, and also in the American Medical Association.
The first officers were Dr. Clare S. Parkhill, president ; John G. Kelly, vice-president ; Chauncey G. Hubbard, secretary and treasurer. The presidents, in succession, have been as follows: C. S. Parkhill, 1888 ; John S. Jamison, 1889; John G. Kelly, 1890; James E. Walker, 1891 ; Joseph S. Dolson, 1892 ; C. R. Bowen, 1893 ; Charles R. Phillips, 1894; Lyman B. Smith, 1895.
The association has thirty- two members, regular practicing physicians in this and the adjoining county of Allegany. The officers for the year 1895 are as follows: Lyman B. Smith, president; Charles Con- derman, vice-president : Roy Dunham, secretary and treasurer ; Drs. Palmer, Brasted and Wakeman, censors,
J. G. KELLY.
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CITIES, VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.
CHAPTER XVII.
CITIES, VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.
THE VILLAGE OF BATH .- In 1793, when Charles Cameron and his party of pioneers disembarked from their flat boats and canoes and began the first improvements near Pulteney Square, the village of Bath was founded in fact, although some time passed before the hamlet was given its name. Whether Captain Williamson at that time had in mind the establishment of this as a county seat is a subject of speculation, with the weight of opinion in favor of the idea, for his plans were complete, and Thomas Rees, jr., the surveyor of the party, evidently acted under direction to be thorough in his work, and when all was done no change of importance was required and only subsequent additions to the village plans were made.
Williamson was possessed of excellent judgment and, moreover, was a man of large ideas, hence naturally gave heed to the possibilities of the future. His estate was a vast tract of land, extending in all direc- tions from this central point, and here he decided to make the seat of his extensive operations. He knew that the best results were to be ob- tained through organization of the territory into a separate county, and within three years from the time Cameron's men felled the first tree we find the little hamlet of Bath the seat of justice of Steuben county. The first court of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the peace was held at the land office on June 21, 1796, and in the same year a newspaper, that indispensable adjunct of municipal prosperity, was founded. A school house was also built, a place provided for informal religious gath- erings, and that outdoor amusements might be encouraged, a race- track was constructed. Weld, the English traveler, who visited the set- tlement in 1796, wrote : " Bath is a post and principal town in the west- ern part of the State of New York. Though laid out only three years ago, yet it contains about thirty houses; it is increasing very fast.
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