USA > New York > Greene County > The "old times" corner : first series, 1929-1930 > Part 6
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"When the committee of the whole reported on March 4, Mr. Ryers of Richmond moved that the House should reconsider their determination had yesterday on the question of agreeing with the committee of the whole on the bill. The vote was reconsidered. Bill. Dietz, Cantine, De Witt, Conine. Henry, Nicoll, Shurtliff voting no, a motion to recommit was adopted by a vote of 51 to 45. On March 12, the bill was reconsidered in the com- mittee of the whole and on motion to reject it the vote was no 43, yes 42. Schuneman voted no, carrying the day. The bill was reported back to the House and ordered engrossed.
"On March 19, the Senate Committee, composed of the famous Am- brose E. Spencer and of Selah Strong, brought a message to the Assembly that the Senate had passed the Assembly bill with amendments. March 22. the House concurred in the amendments. The bill became a law March 25. having been approved by the Council of Revision. To have carried the bill through the Legislature with men like Cantine, Bruyn. and DeWitt from Ulster and men like Bill, Dietz, Henry and Nicoll from Albany against him speaks more loudly than words for the courage and mastery of Martin Gerritsen. lle must have possessed great force of character, political sagacity and a strong hold upon his friends. This inference is confirmed by the fact that later, in 1803, he served again as representative of Greene in the Assembly and also by the fact that he served Ulster and Greene in the Seventh Congress in the years 1804-1505. llis part and prominence in the erection of Greene County, apparently unrecognized. unknown, and unpraised, should constitute a theme which should challenge the development of it by some literarily ambitious son or daughter of your county.
"Greene County was named by the bill creating it. It was named as Washington, Clinton, Jefferson, Monroe, Madison. Putnam, Steuben, and Sullivan Counties have been named -after the great soldiers and statesmen of the Revolution. It was a deserved compliment to General Nathaniel
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Greene that your county should have been named for him. He was the one general among all those subordinate to the command of Washington with anywhere near the capacity to succeed him in such a command. . . "You have a right to glory in the name of Greene. It must not be overlooked that as a fair daughter of Ulster you shared with her the glory of having been the place of the adoption of the first constitution of the State, of having furnished the first Governor George Clinton and of having the capital of the State located within your . .. domain."
"On the settlement of Catskill by the Holland Dutch, on the numerous puissant families that have found spirit and enterprise in the air of your beautiful and wonderful mountains and on the progress of one-hundred and twenty nine years, I cannot dwell. I would miss the purpose for which I came if I succumbed to such allurement. It has been said Turpe est homini nobili ejus civitatis in qua versatur jus ignorari.' We might trans- late this Latin freely, 'Noble men would gain no credit in being unversed in the history of the country in which they lived.'
"Few realize how difficult it is to summon and comprehend the past . To make the past talk with exactitude and tell us all it knows, its accomplishments. its tragedies, its secrets, its victories and commonplaces, is an Herculean task. The history that hangs on the in- fallibility of human memory and on tradition needs to be checked up. .
"Finally I feel honored to be here to-night. The people of the United States that have a local history to be interested in are not so numerous. The number of families that trace ancestry to those who strove and fought to organize the country are not so many as to relegate them to the company of the undistinguished .
"There is distinction in belonging to an historical society such as yours. I see no harm but much good in the pride founded in this participa- tion in the making of our country . 1 have seen quite a number of my friends interested in local history throughout the state and I have yet to see indications of snobbishness or any particular preening upon ancestry distinguished or undistinguished. The men and women who make up county historical societies are the typical nationals of the United States. They are that composite of the European nations that gives our country its national type, so that when they travel abroad the European sees Uncle Sam and the stars and stripes.
"How fortunate are those who have an interest in local history. Their wisdom and happiness is greater than that of those whose souls are mangled by the gyrations of the stock market. They do not die daily under the finding of the new lows by their trusted stocks. Better some snobbery than indulgence in the crazy fury of the get-rich-quick and the get-poor- Sure.
"One cannot go out into the river valleys and commune with the physical evidence of the past withont seeing something, without seeing the sturdy men and women who battled against natural obstacles to make food grow. without seeing the toil of their lives, without seeing the rise from small beginnings to mighty accomplishment; withont realizing in the churches and schools around which their hamlets were built that the development of their minds and the devotion of their souls was for God ---
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THE KAATERSKILL FALLS
to bring them into touch with the Infinite. What of us who walk behind them? Do we walk in their footsteps? Or have we turned aside as the children of Israel to worship gods of wood and brass and stone?
"Automobiles, the pictures, sky ships and money are the things only that satisfy the longings of the modern heart. If so, contemplation and performance of the duties of membership in your society can suggest the path to normalcy." -- Selected by the Historian.
Discussing what the activities of an historical society should be, Judge Hasbrouck outlined many objectives, among them being the searching of records and maps; to see that the records and minutes of the meetings of town and county boards are preserved, as they are of great historic value. School records as well as church records should be kept safe for future reference; old tombstones should be read and the inscriptions carefully copied; newspapers should be scanned and clippings made of articles re- lating to industries and to current history; old deeds, books, almanacs, data as to highways, turnpikes and railroads, are all of historic value.
The society should make an effort to reclaim lost records and see that they are adequately protected. The salvaging of these records is a mnost interesting and absorbing work, said Judge Hasbrouck. He suggested the erection of monuments on historic spots and advised the incorporation of the society under the Membership Incorporation Law of the State.
[Summary of activities from Eraminer, Nor. 21, 1929.]
Here's an Early Account [1807]
of the Kaaterskill Falls, published in 1807 at Philadelphia by James Mease, M. D., in a compact duodecimo volume of 500 pages entitled "A Geological Account of the United States; comprehending a Short Description of their Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral Productions, Antiquities and Curiosities." The description of the cataracts we now know respectively as Haines' Falls and Kaaterskill Falls is on pages 455 to 458.
Mease says: "A branch of Kudir's Kill, New York, after a pretty rapid descent along its bed, first pitches more than two fathoms, and then run ning a few rods further, falls in a most beautiful sheet down a steep. which measured a little distance off one hundred and fifteen feet. At n. great distance below, the water again falls more than one hundred feet. and continues descending with such violence and rapidity along its channel. that the whole descent, has been estimated within one quarter of a mile. to be four hundred feet. The going down and coming up of the rocks which form the sides of the valley are so difficult, that the bones of bears and deer, are said to be frequently met with below them, owing probably to the animals having descended to drink, and, not being able to return, starved to death there. The face of the rocks is worn somewhat circular, and is considerably excavated below. The stream is of course, precipitated to the bottom withont impediment, and very much divided into spray, by so long a passage through the air. Between the fallen water and the rock. the space is covered with verdure, and the whole distance from the bottom to the top is beautified with plants, which find room for their roots between the crumbling layers and among the mouldering parts of the rock. The
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OLD TIMES CORNER
mosses, maiden hairs, strawberries, shumacks, and spruces, which have fixed themselves here, give to the scene a very lively and pleasant air; and, owing to the abundant evaporation. there is so little heat prevalent at this place, that snow remains unmelted until near the middle of June. between the descending torrent and the rock from which it is projected. Both sides of the valley through which the water hastens away, are com- posed of steep and lofty rocks, supporting huge trees, chiefly of the ever- green kind; and along this there is an extensive view of the mountain sides towards the east. Among the fragments, which, by the undermining of the water below, are from time to time, breaking off in masses of man; tons weight, and rushing to the bottom. and some of which are now hang- ing almost in equipoise, just ready to drop; the most luxuriant vegetation keeps out of sight the bare and disordered appearance, and, in good degree. conceals behind its perpetual foliage. those ruinous and wreck-like appear- ances of nature. It unluckily happened when we were there, the quantity of water was small. but from the size of the logs drifted down. and left by the subsiding freshets among the rocks of the channel, there was no difficulty in imagining how great and impetuous the flow mist sometimes be, that could float such pieces of timber along, and split them to shivers in their fall. From the edge of the bank. a little way off, where several large trees afford a firm hold. securing the spectator from shipping. a tolerable view can be obtained. There is something in it exceedingly picturesque. which, under the pencil of an artist. would afford a sketch possessing much novelty and peculiarity.
"Another cataract, called Mitchell's Falls, is on the Kadir's Kill, itself. Exactly at the precipice the mountain seems to have been rent asunder, and, receding to the right and left. leaves between its enormous and craggy piles, a deep and dreadful opening. This takes a turn towards the left. and winding along in that direction. the view is soon intercepted. From a point of elevated rock, a little to the left of the falls. the whole bend is full in prospect extending like a vast amphitheatre from its commencement. just on the right hand, to its termination, by the intervening objects at the other extreme. A border of hemlocks ( Pinus thies Canada) and pines adorns the brow of the rocks; a like covering, mixed with laurels chatmia major) and white cedars thema occidentalis) down the steep, impart to them perennial greenness: and the whole distance thence to the bottom of the chasm. is skirted with similar trees and shrubs. Whether you look down, or round, the prospect. though not extensive. is sublime and awful. The water first falls one hundred and sixty-two feet perpendicular, into a large bason or excavation, in the rock below. of about forty yaids in diameter: then issning from this pool, it suffers a second fall of eighty feet more, making in the whole, a descent of two hundred and forty-two feet. To look down from the projecting layer of stone which forms the brink, is too dangerous for the most steady head.
"l'pon the whole, however, it may be observed, that though the quantity of water is less, these falls are more worth a sight than those of Passaick. the Cohoes, or the upper ones of the Mohawk."
These remarks are credited by Mease to "Dr. Mitchell" apparently meaning Dr. Samuel 1 .. Mitchill who published in 179s "a sketch of the
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.SOUTH CAIRO SCHOOL RECORDS
mineralogical history of the State of New York" in the "Medical Reposi- tory" (New York City ), to which Mease frequently refers on other pages. Such facts emphasize the part played by the medical men in bringing to birth American science when men of culture and leisure were rare outside their profession .-- C. Jan. 23, 1930.
Back in 1821 [1821-1896] a "School meating" was called in the town of Cairo, and a book of minutes was started that lasted [present] District 11, South Cairo, down to the end of 1896. This entire book of minutes has been preserved for us by the forethought of a gentleman in that village, and just deposited by him with the County Historian. From time to time we shall find opportunity to publish some of the interesting records it contains; but the point now in mind is that there may be many other such books saved by careful people in this county who feel they are too meaningful to be destroyed and yet do not know quite what to do with them. May I ask all such to bring then to the Historian's office in the Court House ("second floor front" ) as soon as convenient and place them with Mrs. Vedder for permanent safe- keeping? In fact, bring any old books and papers that you wish to get rid of-they may be of more value than you think. Especially, do not destroy old Bibles with family records. Bring them to Mrs. Vedder. Their rec- ords are priceless. - C. Feb. 13. 1930.
The first entry in the clerk's book of districts No. 9 and 12 is that of November 10, 1821. No. 9 was in the town of Catskill, and No. 12 in the town of Cairo, and they seem to have been consolidated under one roof, but retained their identity as to district numbers.
This first recorded meeting was held at the house of David Wicks, of Cairo, with Nathan Hawley chairman, and the only business transacted was the election of Elisha Blackmar as clerk.
A week later at the same place, they again adjourned for four days. when, with Nathan Hawley chairman, David Wicks was elected clerk, James Elting collector, and the following trustees: Peter Sax, AAbsalom Post and David Wieks. It was also voted to employ a teacher for three months, reconsidered and extended to four months, each "imploier to de- liver to the school one cord of good wood to be eut three feet long and said imploier is to have eredit of $2.00 for each cord as far as his pripotion may be according to the number of Schollers that he sends to the said school."
Mar. 30, 1822, it was resolved to build a new school house, and James M. Sanford, Frederick Powel, in District No. 9, Joseph Gilbert, Elisha Blackmar and Robert Baley in Dist. No. 12, to be a committee and to meet at the same place, the first Saturday in April at 3 p. m. It was also re- solved that the trustees were to "apply to the owner of the Coit [site ] that the committee Cites for the new school house" and to report to the committee the first Monday in May, etc.
In November the trustees are authorized to prohibit the teacher from buying "any Books in the School for his own private use." Jan. 9, 1823, the sum of $325 is authorized to be raised for a new school house and the "Cite" for It to be on the "South Side of the Susquehannah turnpike Road
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OLD TIMES CORNER
on the southwest corner of the farm lately owned by Jeremiah Clark but now owned by stockholders of the Greene County Bank adjoining the gardain of Mr. Sisson." On the 27th it was voted that only $270 should be raised by tax for the new school house, and the trustees were to dispose of the old one to the best advantage for the use of the districts. However, at another meeting held Nov. 10. 1823, they voted to repair the old school honse to the extent of $40. This sum included the purchase of a stove.
In 1825 the length of wood to be furnished was reduced to IS inches, a half cord to each "imployer" and twelve shilling allowed for each cord. April 3, 1826, it was again voted to build a new school. the sum of $250 to be raised for the purpose and the buiding to measure 20 by 28 feet. C. C. W. Cleveland was clerk. They were now employing women teachers and having both winter and summer terms.
Dec. 6, 1827, they again vote for a new school house. None of the former actions are recorded as having been revoked and one can only read between the lines, of opposing factions. The building was to be on the same spot as formerly decided upon, but described in addition as the lands of Mr. More. It was to be finished in a workmanlike manner, on or before the first of March, 1828. In this year the wood was to be split suitable for a Franklin stove.
U
On October 13, 1828, in the new school house, a meeting was held at which the trustees were authorized to furnish the wood for the ensuing year, and a committee composed of E. Blackmar, R. Baley, C. C. W. Cleve- Inud, were to give the new school a name. After a few minutes of de- liberation they reported the name as "Harmony." Elisha Blackmar, John Wolcott and Rufus Lathrop were the trustees, C. C. W. Cleveland clerk, and Robert Bailey moderator.
April 6, 1829, the trustees are again empowered to sell the old school house for the benefit of the districts and that the school shall be kept by a "Mistress" for six months. Oct. 12th it was voted that the money obtained from the sale of the old school house be "apportioned toward paying for the bell." In November the trustees are instructed to pay the money which was in their hands at the time of building the new school house to Miss Polly Chandler for tuition owing her as teacher in 1826.
In 1834 wood goes up to $2.25 a cord and in 1836 to $2.75. It was also voted to levy a tax of $25 for a new stove, pipe and repairs. In 1837 they again voted for the new stove, pipe, and repairs to school.
The list of parents' names and number of scholars in 1839 was as follows:
James Elting 5 Abraham Winnia
1
William Barton
1 Robert Baley
1
James Gaddis
1 John Richtmyre 2
Oliver Eggleston 2 George Wells 5
John Howk 3 Daniel Bassett
Sidney Gregory
2
Myron Lathrop 4
William Purdy
4 Rufus Lathrop 1
Stanley G. Hill
3 Burr Banks 3
Isaac Eroe
1
[Above in the town of Cairo. }
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PARENTS, OFFICERS
John Marcey
1 Peter Sax
1
John S. Wolcott
1 W'm. G. Sanford
2
Coleman Cargal
1 Richard Salisbury
1
John Sax
4 Ira Phinney 2
Miss June
1 John Scott 2
In 1839 wood was $3.00 per cord; $3.50 if cut for the stove, and the school meeting held in the "Chapel School House." In 1810 Maria Eggleston taught the school and in 1843 the number of days is charged to each head of the house. For instance William G. Sanford is charged for 161 days, $1.611%. In 1846 in district No. 9 of the town of Catskill there were 15 children between the ages of five and fifteen, and in No. 12. the town of Cairo, there were 40 children of that age with S. Martin as teacher for all and a tax was levied for the purpose of purchasing a plain desk for the library. Two years later insurance was taken out. In 1852 the bell was repaired, some coal bought, and in 1855 it was voted that new seats be made, the house widened and painted.
In 1858 the district meeting was dissatisfied with the settlement made by Francis Elting of the money received by him while trustee, but at the next meeting he was chosen collector, and seemingly for the first time officers were chosen by ballot. There were three trustees. Howard Sher- man. Daniel J. Richards and Joshua Carmen, with Zera Ferry librarian, which office he held for a long time. It was also voted unanimously that "religious meetings of all kinds be held in the school house;" Oliver Phin- ney clerk, and Alanson Lathrop chairman. Coal from November to February cost $7.65, which was paid "Tuzyar" Buckley.
In December of this same year it was voted to raise $28.86 as expense of first suit against Francis Elting by the district, also $48.33, expenses of second suit. The report does not go into detail as to the charges against Mr. Elting, and it is inferred they could not have been serious as he was chairman of the meetings, trustee, and one of the building committee dur- ing the following year. In 1866 School Commissioner Mulford notified the district that it would hereafter be known as District No. 11. In 1849 District No. 12 had become No. 2.
In 1868 Cornelins Van Deusen was chairman of a meeting at which it was voted "to rebuild the school house on the present foundation, using the present frame," and later it was voted that a suum not to exceed $500 be allowed for rebuilding, and a committee consisting of Francis Elting, Joshua Carman and Harmon Cole appointed.
In 1881 it was voted to buy shutters, F. H. Cole clerk. In 1884 the school house was painted inside and out and sheds considered, but no rec- ord of having been built. In 1892 a new roof was anthorized. The record closes with the year 1896 and there is much of interest and historic value in this old book. (School record deposited with the Greene County Ilis- torical society by Charles P. Jones, South Cairo. ).
Perhaps someone ean tell us where the first school building stood. We also hope someone can tell the exact spot of the old bell factory at South Cairo. It has been described in a local newspaper as standing where the "Susquehanna turnpike crossed the little stream called the Mine kill
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OLD TIMES CORNER
at South Cairo," but it is not known on which side of the road. A marker is to be placed there .- V. Oct. 16, 19.30.
Visit of General Lafayette to Catskill. [1824]
At a recent loan exhibit held by Columbia County Historical Society, the old coach in which General Lafayette drove through the streets of Hudson was on exhibition. It is now the property of that society, given by Miss Frances C. Carpenter of Lebanon Springs. This brings to mind the fact that Lafayette once visited Catskill, and an account of his visit is found in an old scrap book :.
As early as 5 o'clock in the morning of September 17, 1824. hundreds of people gathered at the landing at Catskill to greet their expected guest. General Lafayette. The military parade began at 6 o'clock. Windows and piazzas were crowded, and all the beauty and fashion of the place had gathered to do honor to him. At the long wharf a way had to be cleared by the militia.
A few minutes before 10 o'clock, the Jamies Kent steamed up with colors flying and was greeted by a salute of thirteen guns. The general had been detained for some hours at Clermont and was reluctant to land because of an engagement at Albany which could not be delayed. How- ever he was induced to land and amid the noise of another salite of twenty- four guns, entered a baronche drawn by four white horses which carried him rapidly to the head of the street and back again to the Croswell hotel, where he stopped amid loud cheers, to bow to the spectators.
At the entrance to the village an arch had been formed and decorated with flowers and evergreens bearing the words. "Welcome. Lafayette." It was surmounted by a stuffed eagle, shot the previous day along the Snake road. On the opposite side of the arch were the words: "Farewell Our Country's Friend." The following address was to have been given by one of the village children, had his stay been as long as anticipated :
"General Lafayette: -- While the most distinguished honors of the country have justly been paid to the friend of Washington and the cham- pion of liberty, we ardently pray that our moral and religious privileges may be continued, promoted and appreciated: and as we are aware that the enlightening. civilizing and ameliorating influences of the Bible are the strongest and most efficient means of maintaining the glorious ad- vantages we enjoy, we, the children of the village of Catskill, solicit Gen- eral Lafayette to permit us to constitute him a life director of the American Bible society; presuming that you sir, will duly appreciate the motives which have induced us to adopt this expression of our gratitude, for services too essential to American freedom over to be forgotten."
One can imagine the great disappointment of the youth, whoever he may have been, who had been selected to make the presentation, when it was found Lafayette could not stay for the ceremony. One hundred and fifty dollars was the sum paid for the life membership. Later the general "returned kind acknowledgement of the honor done him." Erastus Beach drove the coach in which he rode through Catskill.
Fourteen guns were fired when the steamer left, and Lafayette was
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LAFAYETTE'S VISIT
accompanied by a committee of citizens. On landing at Hudson he mounted an elegant barouche drawn by four black horses. Here, too, his stay was short .- V. Oct. 23, 1930.
Items from Mrs. Vedder. [1824-1829] our County Historian, will form an important section of this "corner." Here are two:
Jan. 30, 1824-At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Lex- ington, it was Resolved, unanimously, that "we are unwilling that any part of the said town of Lexington should be annexed to the county pro- posed to be erected from parts of the counties of Greene, Albany, Delaware and Schoharie."
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