Steuben County items
mentioned in the
Allegany County Reporter
Wellsville, Allegany Co., NY
The abstracts below are in their entirety! I can not be of any further assistance on any of these surnames/families. What you see is ALL there is! I also can not make photostatic copies of these items!
Allegany County is located on Steuben County's western border. I live in the south eastern part of Allegany County with the Steuben County (West Union) border less than a mile away from my home.
Abstracted by Judy Allen
Cwiklinski - Steuben Co., NY GenWeb coordinator.
Commercial use prohibited. All right's
reserved.
Thurs, July 19, 1883
SOLDIERS' HOME.
----
Investigation of the Charges Begun.
---
"Rev." John Cowan Shown to be Liable to Sin.
---
The Board of Trustees met Wednesday to resume the investigation of the charges
of cruelty to inmates and mismanagement. the Trustees decided not to await
longer the action of the State Board of Charities, which has been invited
to preside over the investigation.
From a special dispatch to the Hornell Times we clip the following: "The
first witness examined today was 'Rev' John COWAN, ex-chaplain of
the Home and present pastor of the Baptist church at North Cameron, Steuben
county. He re-affirmed his testimony of two weeks ago, aserted the truth
of his published affidavits and made additional charges of the most serious
nature. He also denied that he had ever been arrested and imprisoned as charged
by witnesses at his examination two weeks ago.
When he had finished, records were produced proving that he was arrested
and court-martialed in the army for stealing his Colonel's boots. Other records
were brought forward showing that he had served two years and a half in the
Albany penitentiary for conspiracy to defraud the Government. This he admitted
was true. His record was show by documents to be had in other respects. It
is expected that the other makers of affidavits against the management of
the Home will be shown to be bad characters.
Thurs, July 19, 1883
PANNING OUT POORLY.
---
Nothing of Importance yet Elicited in the investigation.
Bath, July 12--The investigation of the soldiers' home, was continued today.
Witnesses were examined as to the various cruelities alleged to have been
committed by non-commissioned officers.
Charges against Trustee ROBIE and Quartermaster LEVENS were
brought up. ROBIE withdrew from acting with the board pending the
investigation. Nothing important was elicited.
The examination will continue tomorrow. The investigation by the G.A.R. committee
was continued today. A letter was prepared and sent to Gen. PITCHER,
saying that there was nothing in the testimony, produced reflecting upon
or in any way derogatory to his character as an officer, and adding that
the investigators find it unnecessary for him to attend before the committee.
Thurs, July 26, 1883
--Information is wanted of Elmer MATOON, of Avoca, aged twenty-five, who is missing. He is five ft five in. in height; has a small light moustache; slender built; was dressed in light sack coat and black pants; small round-top drab hat. He was supposed to have about seventy dollars in his pocket.
Thurs, August 9, 1883
Hon. Guy McMASTER, of Bath, is referee in a suit tried last week at B.C. RUDE's office, between Russell WOOD and Elwood and Lydia LIVERMORE, B.C. RUDE appearing for the plaintiff and James STEVENS of Hornellsville, and M.B. BUTLER, of Whitesville for the defendants.
Thurs, August 23, 1883
Died:
GREEN--In Hornellsville, Aug. 21, of Cholera Infantum, Arthur Eugene GREEN, youngest son of Prof. Frank and Clara RUDIGAR GREEN, aged 8 months and 12 days
Thurs, August 30, 1883
--Mr. S.G. SEAGER, of this city, and Miss Anna PERRY were married Wednesday at the home of the bride's parents in Corning. the ceremony was performed at 5 p.m., by the Rev. J.S. Bacon. The happy couple passed through Wellsville on train 1 last night, and are now sojouring for a few days at Chautauqua. Mr. SEAGER is the ticket clerk at the depot, and has many friends who will tender hearty congratulations.
Thurs, September 5, 1883
Died:
PALMITER - In Hartsville, NY, Aug. 27, 1883, Harrison S. PALMITER, in the 40th year of his age.
Thurs, September 5, 1883
A Big Fire at Wayland.
The entire business protion of Wayland, Steuben co., was destroyed by fire
Monday night. the fire originated in a room of the Hess Block, the largest
building in the town. By the time an alarm was given the Hess Block was enveloped
in flames and the fire rapidly spread to Arnold's furniture store, Nolds
shoe store and Mundling's shoe store. All these buildings and George
Nold's residence were destroyed. The buildings, being built of wood,
burned like tinder. For more than an hour it seemed that the whole of Wayland
was doomed. Neighboring towns sent aid, and by two o'clock the fire was under
control. the fire is attributed to a burning cigar stub carelessly left in
C.C. Bell's law office.
The town records were all destroyed. The principal losers are Kimmer,
Morris & Co., hardware dealers; W.W. Clark, lawyer, George
Nold, boot and shoe dealer; Mark H. Hess, C. C. Bell, lawyer;
A. Sourbier, saloon keeper; E.B. Arnold, furniture dealer,
and Dr. E. Biglow.
The total loss is estimated at $30,000.
Thurs, September 13, 1883
--Mr. Cass RICHARDSON has been elected President of the Maple City
hose company of Hornellsville, for the tenth consecutive year.
Thurs, September 13, 1883
--The Hornellsville Fire Department has chosen the following officers: Chief
Engineer, Jas. B. DAY; First Assistant, Edward F. HOUSER, Second
Assistant, George GROSVENOR.
Thurs, September 13, 1883
--A young man named BATCHFORD has been arrested at Bath, charged with
stealing a gold watch and other valuables from the dead at the late Carlyon
disaster. The accused is now in jail at Albion.
Thurs, September 13, 1883
FITCH-SMELTZER -- At the residence of the bride's parents in
Hornellsville, Sept. 12th, by the Rev. Dr. Niles, Mr. T.B.R. FITCH
of Canaseraga (Allegany Co., NY-JAC) and Miss
Celestia SMELTZER.
Mr. FITCH is the Supervisor of the town of Burns and a prminent and
popular young maid and Miss SMELTZER an accomplished and popular
Hornellsville belle. The wedding was a brilliant social event.
Thurs, September 20, 1883
(nothing of interest)
Thurs, September 27, 1883
--Mr. BLAKE, a paper hanger and painter, while at work putting on paper at Osborn's residence near this city (Wellsville), on Saturday, fell dead, without a moment's warning. Mr. BLAKE was a resident of Greenwood, N.Y., but had been at work in this city nearly all the time during the last two years.
Thurs, September 27, 1883
A REXVILLE ROW
A Gang of roughs Raise a Disturbance.
News of a serious and bloody affair comes from Rexville, Steuben county,
the particulars of which so far as we are able to learn them are as follows:
Levi HOUSE, of that place, owns an extensive hop yard, and a few days
ago the hop picking season was ended. It is the usual custom after the hop
picking is done for the boys and girls doing the work to meet at the hop-house
for a dancing party. While the hop-pickers were thus enjoying themselves,
a gang of roughs made their unwelcome appearance and demanded admittance.
Upon being refused entrance to the party, they began an assult in which
revolvers, knives, clubs and stones played a conspicuous part. The assulting
party consisted of two McCormicks, Jimmy Dun, Jack Coleman
and a number of others. The furious encounter Mr. HOUSE was shot
in the side, receiving it is feared a fatal wound. A son of Mr. HOUSE
was also badly injured. Jim DUNN received a blow with a club over
the hear which laid him out, but from the effects of which he recovered.
Two others of the gang were also injured.
Mr. HOUSE is reported better today, though still in a critical condition.
Thurs, October 4, 1883
--Last Saturday night four Hornellsville boys were on a gunning expedition at Horace HUNT's farm, near Arkport. One of the boys was tinkering with a gun, when it suddenly discharged, the bullet striking one of the other boys, Val. CLARK, causing a serious wound in the arm and shattering the bone.
Thurs, October 4, 1883
DROPPED DEAD IN A FIELD
Mr. Charles NORTON, a well-known resident of Greenwood, was found
dead in a field near his house on Wednesday. He had gone out to get the cows
and while driving them home, it is thought had a suddent attack of heart
disease from which he expired. When found he held in his right hand a stone
as if to throw it at a cow. His friends took the body to the house and summoned
the coroner. - Hornell Times
Thurs, October 11, 1883
(nothing of interest)
Thurs, October 18, 1883
--When Conductor BRADY's freight train was coming up near Rathboneville about 11 o'clock Friday evening, it ran over a man killing him instantly. It is supposed that the man was lying on the track. When picked up his remains were in a horribly mutilated condition. The head and legs were severed from the body and life was extinct. From papers found on his person, he is believed to be Leonard CRAWFORD. - Hornell Times
Thurs, October 25, 1883
--James CRAIG, a brakeman on freight conductor May's train, was killed Monday night at Cuba Summit. It is said that the train broke in two and the unfortunate man fell between the cars and was run over by six or seven cars, being instantly killed and terribly mangled. he was a married man and lived in Hornellsville.
Thurs, October 25, 1883
MARRIED:
CRANE-CHURCH - In Andover, Oct. 18th, by Rev. C. Smith, Mr. Charles
CRANE of Canisteo to Miss Belle A. CHURCH of Andover.
Thurs, October 25, 1883
MARRIED:
GATES-PARKS - In Andover, Oct. 20th, by Rev. C. Smith, Mr. John
A. GATES of Fremont to Miss Emma A. PARKS of West Almond.
Thurs, October 25, 1883
(Of Misc. Interest- JAC)
-- Charles W. BURT, a well known colored man, died at Whitney's Point
(Broome Co., NY-JAC) Oct. 13th, aged 110 years. He
was born on a slave ship, Dec. 3d 1772, in a passage from Bermuda to New
England. He has lived in that town for many years and had good health till
a short time before his death.
Thurs, October 25, 1883
--A.B. VORHIS, who recently failed for half a million dollars at Canesteo
(sic.-JAC), was on Friday arrested at his home in that
place for having forged the name of Lorenzo DAVIDSON as an endorser
on a note upon which he secured a loan of $3,400 from the Citizens National
Bank of Hornellsville. Being unable to find any one who would sign his bail
bond, he was lodged in the lock-up Friday night. All efforts to get bail
were fruitless and his friends "chipped in," paid the note, and VORHIS
was given his liberty.
Thurs, Nov. 1, 1883
STRANGER THAN FICTION
HOW A FORTUNE TELLER POINTED OUT A THIEF
---------------
Strange Story of How Stolen Property Was Recovered -- Frank Smith Arrested by an Officer from Canaseraga. - Hornellsville Times
Deputy Sheriff BOYLAN, of Canaseraga, arrived in Hornellsville yesterday
afternoon with a prisoner named Frank SMITH, whose home is two or
three miles south of this city. SMITH was lodged in the cooler, and
toward night was conveyed to Canaseraga to be put into the lock-up there.
He was arrested for stealing a breech loading shot-gun, valued at $60, from
the house of Oscar SHAY, living rear Canaseraga. The theft was committed
about four weeks ago, and since then officers have been on the look-out for
the thief. About three weeks ago they looked for the stolen property in the
house of a man named Irving COOK, living near Canaseraga. The search
proved fruitless, and the matter ran along until a few days ago, when an
old man, who said he was a fortune-teller came along and sought an interview
with Mr. SHAY. After the manner of fortune-tellers he informed SHAY
that he (SHAY) had owned a valuable gun, which was stolen from his hourse
about a month ago. He proceeded further to say that two officers, whom he
described accurately as to height, weight, etc., had searched in a certain
house for the property, but had not found it. The gun, he said, had first
been hid in a place of woods near Canaseraga, but had afterwards been taken
to a certain house, which he designated. After remaining there for a while,
said the old man, it was taken to a house beyond Hornellsville, and he described
the place closely. There it still remained, he said, standing in the corner
of a room.
This story was so strange that at first the officers were not disposed to
pay any attention to it, but finally they decided to follow the old
fortune-teller's directions, and accordingly officers BOYLAN and
MUNDY went yesterday to the house described, about a mile and a half
from Canisteo. It proved to be the house of Amos SMITH, one of whose
sons was recently taken for stealing a horse at Canisteo. Another son, named
Frank, was found at home. The gun could not be found in the house,
but on searching the barn it was found, one part hid undera hay mow, and
another under some pea straw. Frank SMITH was chaged with the theft.
He and other members of the family made a great ado about the matter.
Frank said that if any man called him a thief he would stick a knife
into his heart and suck his blood. He was taken in charge and handcuffed.
A younger brother told the officers that the gun had been standing in the
corner of a room but had lately been taken to the barn, so the old fortune-teller
was not far wrong.
Deputy Sheriff BOYLAN had a warrant for the arrest of Irving COOK
of Canaseraga, the man whose house the gun had been concealed. The prisoner
said that COOK -- who is his brother-in-law -- knew about the theft.
Two raids were made by burglars in Canaseraga a few days ago, and it may
be that some light will be thrown upon them by three arrests.
But who was the strange old fortune-teller, and how did he know about the
mystery of the gun?
Thurs, Nov. 1, 1883
MARRIED:
PAGE-MUNGER - In Andover, Oct. 27th, by Rev. C. Smith, Mr. Edmund PAGE of West Union to Mrs. Mary MUNGER of Wellsville.
Thurs, Nov. 8, 1883
--Mr. A.B. VORHIS, whose recent railure and forgery at Canisteo is well known in this section, has been employed by McConnell & Co., of Hornellsville, to go to London, England as salesman in the foreign branch of their establishment. he sailed for Europe last Saturday and it is suspected - unjustly, however - that he had run away. The Hornellsville Times thinks that "the forged paper which he has so freely distributed among the bankers and money lenders of this glorious country will serve to keep his memory green on this side of the Atlantic." It is said Mr. VORHIS has been employed by McConnell & Co. on account of his superior ability as a salesman and his large experience in their line of business.
Thurs, Nov. 8, 1883
Whites Corners News (Harrison Twp., Potter Co., PA-JAC)
N. M. BROOKS has moved from this place to Troupsburg Centre where he has gone into the mercantile business. (previous is note: H.O. CHAPIN has moved into the house he purchased of N.M. BROOKS-JAC)
Thurs, Nov. 15, 1883
(nothing of interest)
Thurs, Nov. 22, 1883
SEEKING A NEW COUNTY
Hornellsville wants to be a County Seat.
Hornellsville, N.Y., Nov. 19. -- Our citizens are all on the qui vive on the question of dividing the county into two parts, making this city hall when speeches were made in favor of the project by many of our heaviest taxpayers. The program is to take the thirteen southern towns, vis: Dansville, Fremont, Howard, Canisteo, West Union, Hartsville, Greenwood, Cameron, Rathbone, Troupsburg, Woodhull, Tuscarora and Hornellsville from Steuben and the towns of Burns, Almond and Alfred from Allegany, which gives to the new and also leaves to the old counties sufficient population for their member of assembly. This move will without doubt be bitterly fought by the village of Bath in particular, but it is thought no other towns will object unless it be to the expense of new county buildings which will be undoubtedly built by Hornellsville, with perhaps a few outside subscriptions, the cost of which is estimated at from $30,000 to $50,000. This step is the outcome of unjust taxation which has been kept up for a series of years and of which our taxpayers are getting tired. A committee of five were appointed to reconsider the boundaries, &c. and report at an adjourned meeting to be held at that place on Friday evening of this week.
Thurs, Nov. 22, 1883
BREACH OF PROMISE
A Hornellsville Damsel Recovers Damages for a Broken Heart.
The suit of Mary BRICK against John GANNAR for a breach of
promise of marriage was tried before Judge DWIGHT in Corning on Tuesday.
The amount of damage claimed was $5,000. Miss BRICK is a table waitress
in the depot dining room and is a young lady of pleasing appearance. Mr.
GANNAR is a railroad fireman. The couple had been on terms of itimacy
for about two years. Last Christmas the two ate dinner together at the home
of Miss BRICK's mother. GANNAR was considered an accepted lover
and Miss BRICK testified that he had promised to marry her. On the
28th day of December, GANNAR was married to Agnes CARROLL of
Buffalo. When this news became know to friends of Miss BRICK, they
at once began proceedings to recover damages for breach of promise. The case
was conducted by Messrs. Hakes & Page for plaintiffs and I.W.
Near of this city, and M.E. Bartlett of Warsaw, for the defense.
In his charge to the jury the judge mentioned the fact that the case though
possessing considerable interest was remarkably free from scandlous cirmstances.
The jury brought in a verdict of $800 for the plaintiff. -- Hornellsville
Times.
Thurs, Nov. 22, 1883
--Melvin WHITFORD of Hornellsville has been held in $2,500 bail for
beating his wife so seriously that her life is despaired of. Unfortunately
a few such brutes are still allowed to live.
Thurs, Nov. 29, 1883
A HUMAN FIEND!
An Andover Child Brutally Outraged
The Villian Arrested
A miserable brute named (James) E. BOOTH was arrested at Hornellsville
on Saturday, charged with outraging a little girl nine years of age at Andover
on the 9th inst. At the time the outrage was committed BOOTH was keeping
a tailor shop in Andover. The childs name was Alice SWEET, daughter
of James SWEET. BOOTH enticed her into his shop, giving
her candy and finally succeeded in accomplishing his fiendish purpose.
BOOTH fled, but went no farther than Hornellsville. He was taken to
Andover on train one Saturday night on arrival of which the excited citizens
of that place met him with a rope and it was with difficulty that they were
restrained from lynching him on the spot.
A great deal of excitement prevails at Andover. It appears that he had previously
enticed other young girls into his shop and taken lesser liberties with their
persons. He is to be examined tomorrow (Tuesday) < Nov 27-
JAC> and will doubtless be sent to jail to await the action
of the grand jury.
The evidence appears to be direct and positive against him and should conviction
follow, as it doubtless will, there is no punishment too severe for the cowardly
culprit.
The victim of this outrage was seriously injured. BOOTH is a man 35
years of age, has a wife and one child and resided in Hornellsville previous
to his removal to Andover.
Further particulars will be given in these columns.
LATER (same paper-JAC)
Andover, Nov. 27 -- the examination of BOOTH, the wretch who, it is
alleged, outraged the little girl here recently, was concluded today.
BOOTH, by the advice of his attorney made no defense and was held
to appear at court.
(see
Thurs, Feb. 21, 1884<-hit link for sentencing-JAC)
Thurs, Dec. 6, 1883
(nothing of interest)
Thurs, Dec. 13, 1883
--Gen. Clarence CAMPBELL of Bath died suddenly Saturday forenoon, aged 85. He was a son of ex-Lieut Gov. Robert CAMPBELL, a lawyer and representative Democrat, and had been a member of Gov. Robinson's staff. Deceased was engaged and about to be married to a well-known young lady of Elmira.
Thurs, Dec. 20, 1883
--John MCDOUGALL, of Hornellsville, has purchased the chemical works at Bennington, Vt., and John MCDOUGALL Jr., will have charge of them. The works are similar to those as Birdsall in this county. (Allegany-JAC)
Thurs, Dec. 20, 1883
--Charles B. SWAIN of Avoca, Steuben county, was lately arrested for
swindling a fruit tree firm in Rochester, for which he was a traveling salesman.
After being arrested he undertook to suicide with morphine, but was prevented.
He was married only last Sunday to a young girl of 16 in Almond named Daisy
STERNS, a daughter of Howell STERNS. The man is now in Bath jail.
Thurs, Dec. 27, 1883
FOUND DEAD IN A WELL.
The Fatal Accident that Befell a Farmer.
Michael O'CONNOR, a well known farmer of Pennsylvania Hill, in this
town (Hornellsville - JAC), met with a frightful death
on Tuesday night. Mr. O'CONNOR and a man named MCMICHAEL drove
to this city in the afternoon and after transacting some business drove home
in the evening. Mr. O'CONNOR put his team in the barn and went into
the house. A little later he went out to water the horses and led them to
a well on the premises. The well is an open one and in some manner Mr.
O'CONNOR fell into it head-foremost and lost his life. Some time after
he left the house the family became alarmed by his long absense and went
to look for him, when he was found standing on his head in the well, his
feet stinking up. The well is shallow and contains only a few feet of water.
The unfortunate man must have died almost instantly.
Mr. O'CONNOR was about 63 years of age and had for a number of years
been a resident of this town. He leaves a son, residing on the farm, and
two daughters who live on Elm street in this city. - Hornellsville Times
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