Production Note
Cornell University Library produced this
volume to replace the irreparably
deteriorated original. It was scanned using
Xerox software and equipment at 600 dots per
inch resolution and compressed prior to
storage using CCITT Group 4 compression. The
digital data were used to create Cornell's
replacement volume on paper that meets the
ANSI Standard Z39.48-1984. The production of
this volume was supported in part by the New
York State Program for the Conservation and
Preservation of Library Research Materials
and the Xerox Corporation. Digital file
copyright by Cornell University Library
1994.EDITORIAL NOTES
31a
EDITORIAL NOTES.
Mr. Larned's Writings.—In gathering and printing in this
volume a number of Mr. Larned's essays and early papers of local
historical import, the editor is confident of the approbation of many
into whose hands this volume will come. Mr. Larned was, beyond
question, for many years, Buffalo's foremost man of letters. He
was an active and beloved member and manager of the Buffalo
Historical Society; and it is deemed eminently fitting, to make such
recognition as we can in these Publications, of his work and worth.
One thing cannot fail to impress thoughtful readers of the papers
here printed:	Mr. Larned never failed to judge men by their char-
acter. It was character that lifted a man in his esteem and final
estimate, and no success appealed to him unless founded on the rock
of upright, honest and earnest character. This was what appealed
to him, in his studies of Washington, of Lincoln; it was what he
found lacking in Napoleon.
There was always something akin to preaching in Mr. Larned's
utterances, though never the quality we term preachment. He was
a moralist, a philosopher with an analytical mind; and whether his
theme was patriotism, or the teaching of books, or the fundamentals
of socialism, he never failed to point out that good comes to humanity
through the forceful expression of exalted individual character, and
that ills follow from the lack of it. His symposium on “Evil." here
printed from a source perhaps unfamiliar to some of our readers, is
in our estimation a masterly clear exposition of the fundamentals
of human conduct.
Two Tributes.—From the many tributes to Mr. Larned's worth,
which his death elicited, the following, a portion of a letter to Mrs.
Larned from Mr. John G. Milburn, may well have place here:
Gray, Wright,—and now Larned! Of the innermost circle only
Johnston and I are left. The youngest of them all, I felt their influ-
ence most deeply. I have always deemed that influence one of the
profoundest facts in my life. I was just twenty-two when my associa-
tion with them began, close on to forty years ago. I had just started
but in the world as a lawyer and a man among men. They fixed
standard's and ideals for me which, however far short I have fallen
in realizing them, have ever pervaded my thoughts, aims, and
purposes,
What men they were! How able, considerate, sweet and generous,
and pure in mind and soul! I felt for each of them, and shall always
feel until my turn comes, a true and deep affection. I do not know.314
EDITORIAL NOTES
what the hereafter has in store for us, but I hope that they are re-
united and that when my time comes I am deemed worthy to join
them.
I have always regarded Larned as the ablest intellect in Buffalo,
.and one of the ablest in the country. The work he did and that he
has left behind him proves it. But it was not his intellect alone that
drew me to him. I have never known a more direct or purer char-
acter or a more kindly heart. It was the elevation of his thoughts
and feelings that most impressed me. He never thought a mean
thought or spoke a mean word. He would be indignant but never
mean. And was there ever any one more generous in his estimates
and appreciations of others or more considerate in the allowance he
made for our human failings! I shall always feel that he was a fine
representative of the highest type of manhood.
Among all the tributes to the worth and character of Mr.
Larned, none was truer, or better expressed, than the resolution
adopted at the annual meeting of the Buffalo Peace and Arbitration
Society, April 24, 1914. It may appropriately be preserved in these
records, and here follows:
In the death of J. N. Larned this Society and the City of Buffalo
suffer a loss which it is difficult adequately to set forth in words.
He was the highest type of citizen. The keynote of his life and
^character was simplicity, but not the simplicity which implies the
least weakness. He was perhaps the wisest man among us in the
wisdom which means scholarship; but he was wise too in counsel and
in straight thinking concerning the problems of daily life and
the conduct of government.
He cared little for the common successes of men but immensely
for the success of mankind.
He never sought place at the hands of his fellow-citizens, but
when they called upon him to lead them in any good cause, he did not
shrink from leadership.
In all the relations of life he was true and tender. His life
was without blame, and the way he trod was the finest and highest
in his vision.
He was devotedly interested in the movement for peace between
Nations; he gave to this cause generously of his time and advice; he
was President of this Society for two years, and only those closely
associated with him know what this has meant to them and to the
work.
We record with sorrow the loss of this best of citizens, this best
of friends, and would add our tribute to the memory of a man whose
life is an example of the most admirable type of man America has
produced.
Carlton Sprague,
Samuel V. V. Holmes,
Walter L. Brown,
Committee.EDIT OBIAL NOTES
315*
Mr. Larned as Humorist.—One bit of philosophical playful-
ness for which Mr. Larned appears to have been responsible is-
probably unknown to many who know his writings well.
In October, 1874, there was held in Buffalo, under the auspices-
of the Young Men’s Christian Association, an “Authors’ Carnival.”
To add to the gayety of the occasion, and augment the income, a
daily paper was published, called the Carnival Times. Just who bore
the principal editorial responsibility does not appear; but that there
was no lack of available talent is seen in the contributions which came
from such competent—not to say, gifted—Buffalonians as Miss
Annie R. Annan, Mrs. Julia F. Snow, David Gray, John G. Milburn,.
Adolph Duschak, J. N. Larned. This was more than 40 years ago—
but could the town do better now, in a literary way?
The contribution which we attribute to Mr. Larned is signed
merely “ J. N. L.,” but surely that is identification enough. If'
Buffalo had in 1874 another “ J. N. L.,” does any one suppose that
he could write such wise nonsense as appeared over those initials in
the Carnival Times? It purported to be the “Sayings of Che-Foo-
Tsin, translated from the Chinese for the Carnival Times,” and runs
as follows:
I should like to see a world peopled with men alone, just to'
learn what kind of creatures they would become; but I never expect
to. There would be but one man in it at a time. He would have-
eaten all the rest.
I should like, too, to see a world peopled with women alone; but
I never shall—I would not dare to go near it.
I should like to be the most perfect of human beings—but not
till after I am dead and in another state of existence; for it is a
sad thing to have no character among one’s fellows.
I wish that I had ingenuity enough to steal without being caught
in it; because reputation and respect in the world are pleasant things
to secure.
I am told that the human breath poisons the air, and that the
trees have to keep it pure by sucking the poison out. It seems to
me that a great many people are put into the world for nothing but
to make hard work for the trees. I do not understand it.
There is an awful catastrophe that I am in dread of. I am
afraid that we shall learn some day to read one another’s thoughts.
That will be the end of society, and of marriage. We shall have
to live alone after that.
I knew a man once who did not like to have his name in the-
newspapers. I have not seen him since I was a boy. I think he is
dead.
When I was young I had thoughts of marrying, and I began to
look for a wife whom all women would speak well of; but I have*
never found her. I have wasted my time.516
EDIT OBIAL NOTES
There was a place set apart in Heaven for good wives who could
judge a wicked thing as harshly when a man did it as when a woman
did it. But it has never been occupied, I believe.
I foolishly applied myself once to the study of the laws. It is
fortunate that I gave it up, for I should have been sorry to lose all
oense of justice.
Since my eyes began to grow dim, and I do not read any more,
I find myself growing daily in wisdom.
I dreamed last night that I had three friends. How crazy we
are in our sleep!
The Peace Centenary.—The observance of the Centenary of
peace between the United States and Great Britain was everywhere
much modified by the Great War. In many places all projects for its
observance were abandoned. On the Niagara Frontier, instead of the
elaborate ceremonies which had been proposed, the exercises were
limited to suitable services in the churches, on or near the 100th
anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace; and to public
meetings, usually organized by the schools, on the anniversary of
the ratification of the Treaty. This date was February 17, 1915,
on which day exceptionally interesting exercises were held at Niagara
Falls, N. Y., where the Hon. Peter A. Porter, and Mr. John W.
Williams of La Salle, made appropriate addresses. There was an
-exchange of friendly messages by telegraph between the mayors of
American and Canadian cities.
In Buffalo, this “Peace Day” was marked by a fine meeting
at Hutchinson High School, shared in by the Buffalo High Schools,
the University of Buffalo, Canisius College, the Teachers' Training
School and D'Youville College. Besides excellent speeches by
students, and much patriotic music, addresses were made by Bev.
Geo. J. Grim, president of Canisius College; by Charles P. Norton,
Chancellor of the University of Buffalo, and Julian Park of the
same institution; Dr. Henry P. Emerson, Superintendent of Educa-
tion; Mrs. John Miller Horton and others representing patriotic,
educational and historical institutions; among them Hon. Henry W.
Hill, president of the Buffalo Historical Society, who spoke at length
on “International Treaties and Kesults flowing Therefrom.” Presi-
dent Hill's address has been published in pamphlet form.
Letters of a Peace Episode.—In the preceding volume of this
series (“Peace Episodes on the Niagara”) an extended account was
given of the Peace Conference at Niagara Falls in 1864, at which
Horace Greeley and Major John Hay carried on certain abortive
negotiations with alleged agents of the Southern Confederacy. A
number of letters which passed between President Lincoln, GreeleyEDITORIAL NOTES
317
and others, were printed. Since that publication, a few others have
been learned of, which, to fill out the record, are here submitted.
John Hay at the time was President Lincoln’s trusted and discreet
secretary, and so far as the Niagara Conference was concerned,
served only as an intermediary for the exchange of communications.
William Cornell Jewett, an active and officious person, was prolific
with his letters, especially to the President; regarding which, the
following note from Major Hay, addressed to Jewett at Niagara
Falls, has obvious point:
Executive Mansion,
Washington, July 18.
Sir:—In the exercise of my duty as Secretary in charge of the
President’s correspondence, it is necessary for me to use a certain
discretion in the choice of letters to be submitted to the personal
inspection of the President. In order to avoid a further waste of
time on your part, I have to inform you that your letters are never
so submitted. My proceeding in this matter has the sanction of the
President.
I am, Sir, very truly,
Your Obedient servant,
John Hay.
Wm. Cornell Jewett, etc.
A recently published biography of John Hay gives some account
of his participation in the Niagara Peace Conference, though with
less of detail than in the Buffalo Historical Society paper above
referred to. It does not give Secretary Hay’s note, above printed,
nor the following communication to the so-called Confederate Com-
missioners :
Niagara Falls, July 20, 1864.
Hon. C. C. Clay, Hon. J. B. Thompson, Hon. George N.
Saunders, Hon. Beverly Tucker, and the other Hon. Bepresentatives
of the Southern Confederacy.
Gentlemen:—I am directed by Mr. Greeley to acknowledge the
receipt of the following telegram from Mr. Clay:
To George N. Saunders :
Will be with you at five o’clock.
St. Catharines, July, 20,1864.
Detain Greeley until I see him.
C. C. Clay,
and to state that in view of his mission being ended, through the rejec-
tion of the terms of negotiation in the letter of the President of the
United States, delivered to you by Major Hay, he does not feel him-
self authorized to take any further steps in the matter. He regrets
the sad termination of the steps taken for peace, from the change318
EDITORIAL NOTES
made by the President in his instruction given him to convey com-
missioners to Washington for negotiations unconditionally.
He will be pleased to receive any answer you may have to make
in writing through me or any mode you may desire.
I enclose you a copy of a note from Mr. Greeley addressed to me,
justifying the intercourse I have had with you during this short
negotiation for peace. In conclusion I tender you my heartfelt thanks
for the kind and generous manner in which you have received me
personally, and for the noble and magnanimous sentiments you have
advanced in a desire to end the bloody conflict between the two sec-
tions. I can only regret that our Government should not have seen
the policy, duty and justice of meeting your generous offer to meet
in council unconditionally—terms of a peace to depend upon circum-
stances transpiring during negotiations. My efforts shall be as ever
unceasing for peace that shall secure to the section you represent
that justice which shall meet with the approval of the civilized world,
of the coming International Congress proposed by the wise and noble
Napoleon.
Very truly,
Wm. Cornell Jewett.
No one seems to have regarded Jewett very seriously, except
perhaps Mr. Greeley, who before leaving Niagara Falls, sent him the
following note:
Niagara Falls, N. Y., July 20, 1864.
W. C. Jewett, Esq.,
Dear Sir:—In leaving the Falls I feel bound to state that I
have had no intercourse with the Confederate gentlemen at the Clifton
House, but such as I was fully authorized to hold by the President
of the United States, and that I have done nothing in the premises
but in fulfillment of his injunctions. The notes, therefore, which
you have kindly interchanged between those gentlemen and myself,
can in no case subject you to the imputation of unauthorized dealing
with public enemies.
Yours,
Horace Greeley.
1 * I ’ll Try, Sir !'' Miller.—For a hundred years historians of the
War of 1812 have delighted to tell how Colonel James Miller, being
ordered to attack and capture a British battery on the hill at
Lundy's Lane, responded, “I'll try, sir," and with splendid grit
and good shooting, did capture it. The story has escaped the usual
fate of anecdotes of that class. No investigator has come along to
tell us that Miller never said it and perhaps switch the glory of the
exploit to some one else. All the evidence, so far as noted, is to effect
that Colonel Miller did say, “I'll try, sir," and—what is of more
consequence—that he did try; and, most important of all, not only
that he said he would try, and did try, but that he succeeded. AfterEDITORIAL NOTES
319
the lapse of a full century, we may regard the evidence as all in,
and accept the incident as a fixed fact of history.
It is further related that after the capture of the battery General
Brown said to Colonel Miller:	“You have immortalized yourself.”
We do not know whether history can stand for this remark or not;
but certain it is that Colonel Miller was soon brevetted brigadier
general. He again splendidly distinguished himself at Fort Erie; and
after the war New York State gave him a sword, and Congress
bestowed on him a gold medal, which Daniel Webster handed to him
one fine day in City Hall Park, New York, to the acclaim of a great
throng of admiring citizens.
General Miller rounded out the career of a good soldier with
various civil services; and dying, July 7, 1851, was buried in Salem,
N. H., where a monument records his gallant deeds. Some years
ago (July 4, 1892) the citizens of his native town of Peterborough,
N. H., set aside and dedicated a beautiful tract on the high slopes
of Mount Monadnock, to be known as Miller Park; and in August,
J915, the Peterborough Historical Society, with interesting exercises,
dedicated a boulder and tablet, placed on the site of General Miller ’a
birthplace. New Hampshire, as well as New York State and the
Nation, has worthily shared in preserving the memory of this hero
of the Niagara Frontier.
Some Parkman Letters.—There have come into the possession
of the Buffalo Historical Society a few letters of the historian Park-
man, which are of interest, especially to others engaged in historical
work.
That of earliest date was written by Mr. Parkman at the age
of 26. But five years out of college, he had already fixed upon the
field of historical research and authorship which was to, be his
life-work, and had made the arduous journey the delightful record
of which, “The Oregon Trail/1 was published in this same year of
1849. The letter in question was penned by a secretary but signed
by the young historian; was addressed to 0. H. Marshall of Buffalo,
and is as follows:
Boston, May 6, 1849.
Dear Sir:—I have the honor to enclose to you a letter of intro-
duction from Mr. E. G. Squier; as I cannot promise myself at present
the pleasure of an interview, I take this means of transmitting it;
being very unwilling to omit so excellent an opportunity of gaining
the acquaintance of a gentleman who has engaged so deeply and
successfully in studies which for many years have been my favorite
pursuits.320
EDITORIAL NOTES
For some time past I have entertained the plan of writing, at
some future period, a general history of the Indians. At present,
however, my investigations are restricted to a much narrower compass*
I have collected a great mass of materials, illustrating the period
immediately succeeding the Old French War—at which time, as you
are well aware, a general rising of the northern tribes against the
English took place. Those events are not only highly interesting,
in themselves, but by the aid of the materials now in my hands,
afford an admirable opportunity of representing Indian manners and
character.
My studies have been almost wholly interrupted for more than,
two years, by the state of my health and the useless condition of
my eyes, which are quite unavailable either for reading or writing.
The disorders from which I suffer, are of a character which render
mental exertion of any kind highly injurious, and often impossible—
so much so, that I have been compelled to wait for several days to
find an opportunity even for dictating this letter. There is no prob-
ability of escaping, for some time at least, from this very uncomfort-
able predicament; so that, as you may suppose, my schemes are not
in a very progressive state. I lay on my oars, and wait for better
times, doing a little meanwhile in* the way of collecting and arranging
materials, in which work my friends' eyesight supplies the place of
my own.
I am very happy to hear from Mr. Squier, that some of the*
results of your researches are likely to appear before the public,
accompanied by a map of the Iroquois cantons. Next to laboring
upon a favorite field yourself, is the satisfaction of seeing it culti-
vated ably and successfully by others, and I hope to see from your
hands many more papers of equal interest and value with your
observations on Denonville's expedition. I envy you your opportuni-
ties of local inquiry among the remnants of a people more worthy of
study than all the other Indian tribes united.
Can you direct me to any sources of information in regard to
the condition of the Iroquois about the year 1763? At that time and-
for some years previous the Senecas seem to have held singular rela-
tions with the Delawares—to have been mingled with them in several
of their more southern villages, and to have acted in conjunction
with them on many occasions.
I should be much indebted to you for any information upon this
subject, or for anything that may throw farther light upon the*
general relation of the Iroquois with the tribes to the south of them.
Hoping to be able to meet you hereafter in person, I am, with
much respect,
Your obedient
F. Parkman, Jr.
P. S.—•I beg your acceptance of the volume of sketches men-
tioned by Mr. Squier which I have sent to Buffalo by "express.
Mr. E. G. Squier, referred to in the foregoing letter, was perhaps
the best-known and ablest of the earlier archaeologists of America,
still looked upon as an authority, especially on the antiquities of”EDITORIAL NOTES
321
Central America. In 1848 Mr. Squier spent much time in Buffalo
and elsewhere in Western New York, studying the mounds, earth-
works, and other traces of pre-historic Indian occupancy. He sur-
veyed, mapped and described the ancient work now in part included
in Seneca Park, South Buffalo. The results of his researches in this
vicinity are published in Volume II., ‘ ‘ Smithsonian Contributions
to Knowledge, ’’ and also in Mr. Squier’s well-known work, 1 ‘ Antiqui-
ties of the West, ’ ’ published in Buffalo by Geo. H. Derby & Go., 1851.
Mr. Marshall had before this gained some reputation as a student
of Indian history and archeology. Between him and Mr. Squier
there were bonds of common interest. Squier was a good explorer,
but Marshall knew the local territory before Squier came into it.
It is not unlikely that Marshall had a hand in the explorations here-
abouts for which E. G. Squier has received the credit.
Between Mr. Marshall and Franeis Parkman there existed a
long and cherished friendship. Parkman recognized the thorough
and trustworthy character of Mr. Marshall’s work, and in more than
one of his volumes refers to Mr. Marshall as authority. Many years
after the letter above printed was written, we find Mr. Parkman
writing as follows:
50 Chestnut St., Boston, 27 March, ’82.
Dear Mr. Marshall:—Mr. Ed. G. Mason of Chicago sent me
Shea’s foolish judgment on LaSalle. It is mere prejudice, ground-
less and unworthy. LaSalle’s life and letters tell their own story
in a language unmistakable to any mind not utterly warped by
passionate prejudgments.
I wish I could go to New Orleans, but it is out of the question.
Spoffard’s delays are unpardonable. Henry Stevens said to me
last summer:	‘ ‘ They say I am the worst correspondent in the world,
but they lie. Spoffard beats me all hollow. I sometimes answer a
letter; he never does.”
It is some time since I have heard from Margry. His wife is an
excellent influence. She steadies him and makes him live with some
reasonable regard to health, which he has compromised all his days
by excessive work and sedentary habits.
Montcalm 1 gets on, but the mass of material is such that the
work is slow, for finding needles in a haystack needs time and
patience. I hope your health is the better for your southern journies,
and that you find time and strength for history.
With cordial regard,
Yours truly,
F. Parkman.
Mr. Parkman and Dr. John Gilmary Shea were at the same*
period students of the records relating to LaSalle and his explora-
1. Referring to his work, “Montcalm and Wolfe,” published in 1884,322
EDITORIAL NOTES
tions; but as students of the subject know, these two eminent
authorities differed widely in their conclusions as to LaSalle's
exploits and character. The following letter from Parkman to
Shea, written in the earlier years of their intercourse, is especially
interesting as illustrating Mr. Parkman's thorough method of study
and field research:
Boston, Sept. 1, 1867.
My Dear Shea:-—After seeing you I was five weeks in the West
and came back by way of Albany. I went down the Illinois and
satisfied myself on several points, among the rest the site of the
great Illinois village. I had figured it out within a mile or two by
means of the documents, and going to the place thought I could
discover the exact spot from the top of a hill which gave a wide
view of the valley. In front, across the river, I saw the famous
Starved Rock, and about three miles below, the mouth of the Big
Vermillion River. About midway between them on the hither side
I saw a meadow which I was certain must be the site of a village
because the general lay of the land corresponded remarkably with
a description of it in one of the MSS.
I asked the oldest settler if any Indian remains were found
in the neighborhood. He replied: “Plenty of them.;; I then asked
him if there was any spot where they were particularly abundant.
He answered at once, “Yes,” and pointed to the meadow which I
had supposed to be the site of the village. He said it belonged to
him, and that every Spring great quantities of bones and teeth
were plowed up on a certain part of it, besides which, beads, arrow-
heads, fragments of pottery, etc., were often found upon it.
The Big Vermillion is clearly the Aramoui of LaSalle, and Starved
Rock is unquestionably Port St. Louis. Everything goes to prove
this. There is no other rock on the river which at all meets the
conditions. Buffalo Rock, six miles higher up, which has been sup-
posed to be the place, is entirely out of the question. I examined
both.
I followed Hennepin's course as far as St. Antony. The painting
on Marquette's Rock is obliterated by time. In its place I found the
inscription, “Plantation Bitters, S. T. 1860. X.''
I sent an order to Prance for the Relation of the Voyage of
the Ursulines to New Orleans. I learned in reply that it was printed
exclusively for the Societe des Bibliophiles Normands at Rouen. Can
you suggest any wires by pulling which I can get a copy. Margry,
as I think told you, reports that there are some new and valuable
letters appended to it bearing upon La Salle.
Very Truly yrs.,
J. G. Shea, Esq.	P. Parkman.
O. H. Marshall as Journalist.—This volume contains so much
of Buffalo newspaper history and reminiscence, that mention may be
made here of O. H. Marshall's connection with the press. Mr.
Marshall was by profession a lawyer, and not a journalist, yet for aEDITORIAL NOTES
?23
time he wrote much for the newspapers. In 1851, when Dr. Thomas
M. Foote withdrew from the editorship of the Commercial, the posi-
tion was offered to Mr. Marshall, who, however, declined the active
work of the editorial chair, but consented to become a regular con-
tributor. The leading editorial in the Commercial of Monday even-
ing, June 9, 1851, was as follows:
Dr. Foote left town last Thursday for Albany, to take the
•editorial charge of the State Register in that city. His departure will
cause no change in the proprietorship of this paper, nor in its
general course. It will continue, as heretofore, to advocate National
Whig principles, and oppose ultraism and fanaticism, whether North
or South, while the arrangements we have made for editorial assist-
ance will, we trust, render the paper worthy the generous support
;and confidence it has so long enjoyed, and which we would gratefully
acknowledge. In addition to the editorial force already employed,
we are happy to announce that O. H. Marshall, Esq., of this city, a
gentleman distinguished for elegant scholarship and sound political
sentiments, has consented to become a regular contributor. With
this accession, and with the best efforts of all concerned, we con-
fidently hope that the Commercial Advertiser will be as acceptable
to our patrons hereafter as it has been before.
It would be difficult, and probably impossible, to discover in the
files of The Commercial more than three score years ago, just what
Mr. Marshall's contributions were. Like those of B. W. Haskins of
a later period in the Express, he took up a great variety of subjects;
but, as is evidenced by more than one of these contributions that are
identified, his predilection was for history; which is what might be
expected of the man in whose law office The Buffalo Historical
'Society had its origin.
Birth op the 1‘ Commercial. ''—Of all existing periodicals in
Buffalo today, the Commercial Advertiser is dean, by reason of
longest, uninterrupted publication under one name. From January
1, 1835, to date is a goodly record. It may be worth while to reprint
the introduction to the little Buffalo of that date which the Buffalo
.Daily Star gave it:
Buffalo Commercial Advertiser.—A new paper greeted our citi-
zens on New Year's day, bearing the above title. It is to be issued,
:as its title indicates, daily, by H. A. Salisbury, publisher of the
Patriot and Commercial Advertiser. The editorial department is
under the superintendence of Mr. Guy H. Salisbury, a young gentle-
man of a considerable reputation as a writer, and who will no doubt
give the paper an elevated standing among the periodicals of the
day. In politicks its principles are Anti-Masonick, and those of its
readers who are fond of the sight of specters and hob-goblins, will324
EDITORIAL NOTES
-no doubt be often entertained with a (typographical) view of the*
“Ghost of Morgan.''
Journalistic Families.—Journalism in Buffalo began with the
Salisburys, three of whom were prominent in the early days. In later
years, several other families have been represented by different
members in this field of work. There were three or four Faxons
who were editors, publishers or printers. Albro, father and son;,
Brayman, two brothers; Ferris, Held, Bann, Beinicke—these are-
some of the names of Buffalo families that have given more than
one member to journalism in this city. When a newspaper plant
becomes a valuable property, it is not surprising to find it pass
from father to son or sons. Witness the News and Commercial
Advertiser of today, and the Express, now in the hands of a com*
pany, the president of which is a grandson of the man who re*
established it.
The Faxons.—The Faxon family was long prominent in journal-
ism, printing and allied trades in Buffalo. In the '30's Charles Faxon
was a “book and fancy job printer," and his son Charles worked
with him. Henry Faxon was a bookbinder, and Henry W. Faxon,,
remembered as poet and humorist, worked in his youth at many-
things. In 1844 he was clerk in E. S. Thayer's candle factory on
Indiana street.
James Faxon was for many years a sterling citizen of Buffalo-
Born in Hartford, Conn., in 1808, he came to Buffalo in 1830, and
as our record shows controlled or shared in the management of
various journals. He published Buffalo's first daily. In 1864 he*
was appointed United States Consul at Cura^oa, Danish West Indies,
and died on shipboard, during the homeward voyage, March 17, 1870..
We give an excellent portrait of him.
Who Wrote “Beautiful Snow"?—Of all the Buffalo Faxons,.
Henry Whitman Faxon gained most-notoriety—one can hardly call it
fame, notwithstanding the sketches of him in the encyclopaedias.
Some note has already been made of his newspaper activities in
Buffalo, but further mention may appropriately be made here. The
disagreement of published statements about him is striking.
One record, which should be trustworthy—the Cyclopaedia of
American Biography—states that he was born in Catskill, N. Yv
February 7, 1826, and died at Washington, September 5, 1864. (The-
correct date of death is September 11.) It says that he served two
or three years in the Navy; was a telegraph clerk in Troy, and &EDITORIAL NOTES
325
clerk in a candle factory—which last statement is true. It says
further that he edited the Buffalo Republic, 1855, was afterwards on
the staff of the Buffalo Times, and in 1861, became Army corres-
pondent for several New York papers.
The facts regarding his connection with Buffalo journals are,
it is believed, correctly set forth in the bibliography of the periodical
press, in preceding pages. His reputation has rested on two achieve-
ments: the Silver Lake Snake Story, and the alleged authorship of
“Beautiful Snow.” As to the firsts he is entitled to all the fame
that could flow from it. He did write some ridiculously plausible
yarns about a great sea-serpent in little Silver Lake, Wyoming Co.,
New York. He may have hoaxed a few,* of a certainty he amused
many, and is to be regarded as the man who introduced the sea
serpent into journalism—no slight achievement, when one recalls
how useful many other writers have since found it. This is a dis-
tinction for Buffalo journalism not to be overlooked by historians.
But Henry Faxon’s greater fame rests on something which is
in dispute—if we assume that interest in the matter remains suffi-
ciently keen to occasion anything resembling dispute—Was he the
author of the poem, “Beautiful Snow”? The question has been
asked, at intervals, for many years, and still occasionally appears in
newspaper “Answers to Correspondents.” Not very long ago the
inquiry reached the Boston Transcript, and elicited the following
rather positive statement:
Henry W. Faxon is the author of “Beautiful Snow.” He was
born in Buffalo, New York. His father moved to Clarksville, Tenn.,
about 1845, and with his sons, Charles, Henry, Leonard and James,
published the Jeffersonian for many years. Henry went to Paducah,
Ky., about 1849, and edited a paper there. His two principal poems
were republished in the Nashville Union about 1852 or 1853. “Types,”
though of a different measure, has the running rhythm so peculiar to
the “Beautiful Snow.” Will send a copy if desired. The Faxon
family had undoubted evidence as to the authorship. In 1848 or
1849, Henry Faxon, with King, Hiter and others, were discussing
poets and poetry, and he offered to bet a basket of champagne that
he could write a poem that would be published in all the prominent
papers, North and South, East and West, in thirty days. The wager
was taken at once, the poem written and sent to some Buffalo paper,
the Advertiser possibly, but credited to William Cullen Bryant, as
published, and, though an ordinary poem, it was republished in other
journals until it was disowned by the poet Bryant. The wager was
declared won and was paid accordingly. The writer was well
acquainted with the family in Clarksville, Tenn.
This letter was reprinted in the Buffalo Commercial, with the re-
mark that it ‘1 states the facts of the ease correctly, we believe. ’’ In326
EBIT OBIAL NOTES
contravention of this conclusion is the publishers’ statement, printed!
in the first edition of J. W. Watson’s ‘‘ Beautiful Snow and Other
Poems,” a little volume published at Philadelphia in 1869. This
statement says, in substance, that eight or nine different claimants
have disputed, through the press, for the authorship of “Beautiful
Snow, ’ ’ but that Mr. Watson wrote it at his home in Hartford, Conn.,,
in November, 1858, and that it was soon after published in Harper’s
WeeTcly.
Now, as if it were not sufficiently muddled, most of the
anthologies, collections of American verse, etc., when they do not
attribute it to Faxon, ascribe the authorship to ‘ ‘ James W. Watson. ’ ’
But the Watson who (apparently) wrote it was John Whitaker
Watson, born in New York City, October 14, 1824, and died there
July 18, 1890. His career, like Faxon’s, was sufficiently varied.
He attended the University of the City of New York, studied
medicine, became a journalist, then took up engraving. One sketch
says of him that “he wrote 48 serials for a weekly paper, some of
which have been dramatized, notably the story of ‘ Thirty Millions,’
under the title ‘The World.’ ”
The weight of evidence appears in favor of Watson. The other
poems in the volume above mentioned are evidently from the same
hand that wrote “Beautiful Snow.” There is another poem with
this title, by one Major Sigourney, published as early as 1852, which
resembles the later one enough to suggest that it may have inspired it.
And after all, can any student of our literature, or lover of true
poetry, place his hand on his heart and affirm that the authorship of
“Beautiful Snow” is not a thing to be repudiated rather than
contended for?
Some Old-Time Editors.—The story of the early press in
Buffalo would be far from complete if no record were made in it of
the work of Roswell Willson Haskins. It would be told here, but
for the fact that it has already been printed in Volume IV. of these
Publications, where L. G. Sellstedt’s paper on “Roswell Willson
Haskins,” read before the Buffalo Historical Society, December 19,
1870-—15 years ago!—is preserved, one of the most delightful
character studies to be found in all the records of our city.
It may suffice here to remind the reader that Mr. Haskins was
born in Salem, Mass., January 31, 1796; that he came to Buffalo in
May, 1822, and opened a book store on Main street; and that very
soon he was contributing articles to the Buffalo Journal, published,
and later owned, by David M. Day. As early as this year of 1822EDITORIAL NOTES
327
Mr. Haskins did most of the editorial work, and later became part
owner in the firm of Hay, Follett & Haskins. In November, 1827,
their printing office and bindery burned, and the publication of the
Journal was suspended for some weeks. The subsequent fortunes of
the Journal have already been stated. Mr. Haskins retired from the
business in 1832, and thereafter gave much of his time to scientific
pursuits until 1845, when, with his son George, James O. Brayman and
John C. Bonner, he edited the short-lived National Pilot, owned by
Bradford A. Manchester. Some years later Mr. Haskins was for a
time an editorial writer on the Express. He was one of the founders
of the Young Men’s Association in Buffalo, was the first Superin-
tendent of Schools in this city, and was the author of several books,
among them, “ History and Progress of Phrenology, ’ ’ ‘ ‘ Astronomy
for Schools, ’ ’ and numerous pamphlets.
The Brothers Brayman.—One of our portraits shows the fine
patriarchal head of Mason Brayman, who may be styled the first
native-born editor in Buffalo. The Salisburys and other earlier
printers were born elsewhere, but Mason Brayman was born, some-
where in the Cold Spring district south of Ferry street, May 23, 1813.
His father, Daniel Brayman, had come to Buffalo in 1810, and at
first lived on Niagara street near present Albany street—pretty
well out in the woods, it was, between Buffalo and Black Rock.
When the war operations of 1812 caused a battery to be thrown up
near his home, he moved back to the vicinity of Main and Ferry
streets. In December, 1813, the parents with several children, includ-
ing the six-months old Mason, fled, at the burning of Buffalo. After
the war they settled at Hamburg; and in 1830, being then 17 years
old, Mason was apprenticed to Day, Follett & Haskins, and became a
printer. James Faxon bought the weekly Buffalo Bulletin in 1831,
and soon after Mason Brayman appears as its editor. He has been
referred to as the editor of Buffalo’s first daily; but the facts appear
to be that his younger brother, James O. Brayman, did editorial
work on the first little daily in Buffalo, the Western Star, which
James Faxon started in July, 1834. The Star and Bulletin came
under one management in 1835, from which time Mason Brayman’s
connection with the daily Star apparently dates.
James Q. Brayman was born in Buffalo in 1815, and resided here
until 1854, having editorial connection with the National Pilot, the
Courier and the Commercial Advertiser. In the year named he
removed to Chicago, where he edited the Chicago Democrat under the
Hon. John Wentworth; and from 1861 until his death, October 30,328
EDITORIAL NOTES
1887, was editor of the Standard. While still a resident of Buffalo,
lie wrote a book, entitled:	‘ ‘ Daring Deeds of American Heroes, with
biographical sketches.” It was an illustrated octavo and was pub-
lished in Buffalo in 1852.
The elder brother, Mason, had a more varied and picturesque
career, which can only be very briefly sketched here. He is one of
the few Buffalo editors who have gotten into the encyclopaedias.
While still writing for Buffalo newspapers, he studied law.
Removing to Monroe, Mich., he was elected city attorney. Another
move was made to Wooster, Ohio, where he edited the Daily Adver-
tiser. In 1844 we find him settled at Springfield, 111., and held in
such esteem as a lawyer that the task of codifying the laws of the
state was confided to him. He negotiated the terms which secured
the peaceful removal of the Mormons from Nauvoo, and he got the
charter of the Illinois Central Railroad through the Legislature.
When the Civil War broke out, Mason Brayman enlisted as a
private in the 29th Illinois Volunteers. He soon became major, then
was made adjutant-general on McClernand’s staff. His war record
is a full one, but most of it we pass over now. After the battle of
Pittsburg Landing he was made Colonel of the 29th. He had known
Lincoln in the Springfield law practice; now, in September, 1862, the
President appointed him brigadier-general. Soon after this appoint-
ment General Brayman visited Buffalo; and there may be some gray
heads yet who remember a rather notable address he made at Port
Porter. Later he was made major-general by brevet; and at the
close of the war resumed his law practice at Springfield. He had
never outgrown his liking for newspaper work; he became part owner
of the Whig, at Quincy, 111.; and was one of the founders of the
Illinois Journal, at Springfield. In 1873 he removed to Wisconsin,
and was editing the Ripon Commonwealth when President Grant
appointed him Governor of Idaho Territory. At the end of a stormy
four-year term he returned to Wisconsin. His last years were passed
with a daughter at Kansas City, where he died February 27, 1895.
He was for a period, president of the American Baptist Publication
Society; was a trustee of Chicago University, and a founder of the
Chicago Historical Society. He last visited Buffalo in 1889, the
guest of his nephew, Mr. George D. Emerson.
A Magazine in Manuscript.—Mason Brayman was the first
amateur journalist in Buffalo. There are preserved a few copies of
The Moralist, “by Adrian Buffalo,” dated, No. 2, Dec. 5, 1831;
No. 4, Oct. 6, 1832; No. 13, March 23, 1833. Also, The MoralistEBIT OBIAL NOTES
329
<md Sentinel, July, 1832, “by Adrian Buffalo and Paul Shack.’7
“Adrian Buffalo’’ is known to have been Mason Brayman who was
18 years old at the time; “Paul Shack" may have been his brother
James. These curious “magazines" are entirely in manuscript,
each number containing eight pages except No. 13, which has but
four pages.
A Printers ’ Society in 1836.—In June, 1836, the Buffalo
Typographical Society was formed “for benevolent objects and for
the purpose of establishing and maintaining an uniform scale of
^prices." Meetings were held, on the first Saturday evening in each
month. There were then no Sunday papers to spoil the freedom of
the printers’ Saturday night, and one can imagine that these journey-
men, in their hours of ease, did not devote all of their energies to
business. Their organization was probably the first to undertake
to regulate printers’ wages in Buffalo. William Yerrinder, pub-
lisher of the Literary Inquirer, was president for a time, and a leading
.spirit in its councils. Quartus Graves and Abraham Dinsmore, after-
wards prominent as publishers in the growing town, were also active
in its work.
A Famous Printer.—Note has been made (p. 214) of the early
printing business in Buffalo of C. F. S. Thomas. In 1839 he was
conducting the job-printing business connected with the Buffalo
Journal. In 1844 the firm of Thomas & Co. was merged with Jewett
& Co., and in 1857 Mr. Thomas became superintendent of the Com-
mercial establishment. Mr. Thomas subsequently started a job office
-of his own, and obtained contracts from the Government for printing
post-office blanks, furnishing twine, ete. In consequence of some
•alleged irregularity, a prosecution was begun against Mr. Thomas,
which resulted in his giving up business in Buffalo. He removed
to Springfield, Mo. In 1876, while on a visit to his son-in-law, Mr.
^Charles E. Bacon, in Buffalo, he was taken ill, and died, September
19th.
His full name was Calvin Frederick St. John Thomas. A native
of New York City, where he was born August 5, 1808, he came to
Buffalo in 1833 or ’34, and soon was in charge of the printing office
of Mr. Oliver G. Steele. Before coming to Buffalo he had engaged
in publishing. He is said to have published a weekly paper in
Goshen, Orange Co. One evidence of his early enterprise is a notable
one. The first edition of Edgar A. Poe’s “Tamerlane," one of the
rarest of books, which has brought as high as $2,500 at public sale,330
EDITORIAL NOTES
was issued in Boston in 1827, and the publisher whose imprint iff
on the title-page was Calvin F. S. Thomas.
Thomas L. Nichols.—Some note has been made, in connection
with our record of the Buffalonian (p. 206), of the diversified career,
in jail and out, of its most famous editor, Thomas L. Nichols. A
good deal might be added, and still not do that worthy full justice.
On leaving America in 1861 he went to London, where he appears
to have resided throughout the rest of a long and active life. He
married a water-cure * ‘ doctress, ’1 and became known himself as
“M. D.” He wrote, besides his voluminous “Forty Years of
American Life,” a number of medical or pseudo-medical works:
‘‘Human Physiology the Basis of Sanitary and Social Science”;.
4‘The Beacon Light: Physiology for the Young”; “Esoteric Anthro-
pology (The Mysteries of Man),” a copy of which the late Dr.
Roswell Park had in his library, and is now owned by the Buffalo
Public Library. It is more curious than useful. The later activities
of this whilom Buffalo editor were at least practical. During a
London visit, some years ago, the writer one day ran across a “free
soup kitchen,” and learned that it was one of several carried on by
this Dr. Thomas L. Nichols. He also published works entitled
“Social Life,” “How to Cook,” “The Diet-Cure: Eating to Live,”
and “How to Live on Sixpence a Day.” Evidently his later years
did somewhat make amends for the follies of his youth as a Buffalo-
editor.
Rev. John E. Robie.—The most representative figure in the
earlier journalism of the Methodist Episcopal church in Western
New York is the Rev. John E. Robie. He was a practical printer
who as early as 1841 had started a weekly paper in Auburn styled
the Northern Advocate. This paper was sold in 1844 to the General
Conference. Mr. Robie removed to Rochester and established the
Genesee Evangelist, which he conducted until 1849, when he sold
it to the Presbyterians and came to Buffalo, where, on Jan. 1, 1850,
he first issued the Buffalo Christian Advocate. It flourished until
1861, when its founder became chaplain of the 21st Regiment, N. Y. V.
After an eventful war record, during which he was for a time held
prisoner by the Confederates, he returned to Buffalo and served as
presiding elder of the Buffalo District, 1866-1870. On his way home
from a session of the General Conference, in Brooklyn, he was taken
ill and died at Cowlesville, N. Y., May 26, 1872.EDITORIAL NOTES
331i
“Father op the ‘Courier/ ”—Joseph Stringham has been
styled “The Father of the Buffalo Courier,” though James Faxon,
originator of the Western Star, is perhaps more strictly entitled to
that distinction. Mr. Stringham was born in the West Indies about
1810, but received his boyhood schooling in the United States, and
came to Buffalo in the early 40 's. In 1842, as above stated, he
became proprietor of the Republican, and also of the Democratic
Economist, which was being published by Henry Burwell and edited
by Henry White. Mr. Stringham renamed them, being the first to
use the name Courier as part of a cumbersome title, which probably
in popular usage was always simplified to one word. Mr. Stringham
was active and prominent in his day and generation. He was cashier
of the old City Bank, Clerk of the Common Council, president of the
Buffalo Insurance Co., and served a term as State Treasurer.
About 1875 he loaned his brother a large sum of money on a
tract of land near Oshkosh, Wis. The property later came into his.
possession, occupied by squatter tenants who proved troublesome.
The Hon. James O. Putnam, who was a close friend of Mr. Stringham,
used to tell how one morning he found him poring over a map im
his office at the bank. Mr. Stringham looked up wearily and ex-
claimed :	“I am disgusted with my wealth! *7 Mr. Stringham later
removed to Oshkosh and became mayor of that city; and there he*
died, a wealthy bachelor, Feb. 13, 1900.
Daniel Peck Adams.—Another old-time printer, editor and pub-
lisher, whose memory should be preserved in the local annals of the*
craft, was Daniel Peck Adams. Born in Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y., in-
1801, he came to Buffalo in 1817. For a time he carried the mails on.
horseback between Buffalo, Black Bock and Niagara Falls. He
moved to New York City, then came back to Western New York.
The People’s Press, at Batavia, had been started in 1825 by Benjamin
Blodgett. The next year Mr. Adams, with two associates, Martin
and Thorp, acquired it. The firm later became Adams & McCleary.
The paper was merged with the Spirit of the Times, and Mr. Adams,,
after a brief residence at Medina, returned to the Niagara, and at
Black Bock, Feb. 11, 1836, issued the first number of the Black Rock
Advocate. In his initial address to his readers, he lamented “the*
baneful effects on the peace and prosperity of other villages produced
by the introduction of violent party polities into country newspapers, ”
and pledged himself that so far as the Advocate was concerned, “the
publisher will carefully abstain from anything calculated to impart
to this establishment the character of a partisan press.” From the-332
EDITOBIAL NOTES
start, however, Mr. Adams was ardent in upholding the interests of
Black Rock, as opposed to those of the rival village of Buffalo, and
he made the Advocate an uncommonly newsy and interesting journal.
Mr. Adams later removed to Buffalo, where he carried on a printing
business for some years, and was connected with several newspapers.
He died at Batavia in 1872.
One of the rarest pamphlets in all the vast literature of the War
of 1812 was printed by D. P. Adams. This is ‘ ‘ Chapin’s Review of
Armstrong’s ‘Notices of the War of 1812/ ” and bears the imprint:
“Black Rock:	D. P. Adams, printer, Advocate office, 1836.” It is
a 50-page pamphlet, signed by Cyrenius Chapin, a famous pioneer of
Buffalo. A copy in the Historical Society library, which formerly
belonged to Alexander J. Sheldon (editor of the Scientific Commercial
of Buffalo and librarian of the Grosvenor Library), bears this note:
“This book was written by James Sheldon, attorney-at-law, in 1836,
4:or Dr. Chapin. ”
Buffalo’s First Sunday Newspaper.—Buffalo’s first Sunday
newspaper, the Bulletin, appeared in 1849, and under the guidance of
two men highly respected in the community—William P. Rogers and
^Stephen Albro. Whatever of popular prejudice there may have been
at that time against Sunday newspapers—and there was much—could
have found no basis in the Bulletin, which was, for that period, a model
of propriety. A later-day aversion to Sunday newspapers was largely
due to the objectionable character of the papers themselves. For a
period, perhaps not wholly past, the publishers of Sunday newspapers
—unconnected with a daily—seemed to feel that their especial mis-
sion was sensationalism and the exploitation of scandal. Buffalo, in
its time, has known that type of Sunday paper; but several decades
before that objectionable phase of journalism developed, the Buffalo
Bulletin ran its short but highly respectable career.
William F. Rogers merits remembrance among the newspaper men
of Buffalo, although best known by reason of other and more distin-
guished services in after years. Born near Easton, Pa., in 1820, he
was a practical printer when he came to Buffalo in 1846. He worked
as a compositor on the Express, just started. The next year he was
one of the founders of the Bepublic and in 1849 established the
Bulletin. In politics Mr. Rogers belonged to the “Barn-burners”
faction of the Democrats, which the Bepublic—later the Times-
Bepublic—ardently supported. He was soon active in military affairs;
was a member of the famous Company D., Buffalo City Guards; then
a major general in the State militia; and at the outbreak of the CivilEDITOEIAL NOTES
33£
War was captain of Co.'C, 74th Regiment. He became colonel of the
famous 21st, and after two years of hard fighting in the Maryland
and Virginia campaigns was breveted brigadier general. He was
subsequently provost marshal of the 30th New York district, and for
many years major general of the Eighth Division, New York National
Guard.
His service continued notable in municipal and national affairs.
He was successively city auditor, comptroller and mayor of Buffalo;
was the first president of Buffalo’s Park Commission; and in 1883'
was elected to Congress. Among various offices which he held in
later life were those of Past Commander, G. A. R., Department of
New York State; Past President, New York Military Association;
and Superintendent of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home at Bath. In
all the long list of Buffalo’s newspaper men few, if any, have played
a more active part, or won a more certain place in public esteem,,
than William E. Rogers, publisher of Buffalo’s first Sunday news-
paper.
The Service op Joseph Warren.—The early press of Buffalo*
was unbelievably dull. The writers seemed to have no conception of
the possibilities of their profession. The value of details, in a report
of local occurrences, seems not to have been recognized until com-
paratively recent years. Today, any reporter worthy to hold a desk-
on a daily newspaper, must be able to picture a scene in a few sen-
tences; to give the news kernel of his story at the outset—for the-
edification of the hurried reader—and then to amplify as space per-
mits. There are many newspaper writers today who make of their
routine assignments as fine literary bits as—shall we say, some of
Maupassant’s best short stories. They study life, and know how
to picture it.
No one did more to bring in the era of readable news reporting,.
for the press of Buffalo, than Joseph Warren. For 18 years the
editor of the Courier, he began as the best local writer it had known,-
up to his time. When he died, in 1876, the Courier paid this tribute:
Local reporting was in its infancy in the Buffalo press in those
days [the ’50’s] and Mr. Warren was among the first to infuse in
it something of modern enterprise. A full report which he made,
single-handed, of a banquet of Neptune Hose Company, was one of
his early triumphs. Such a thing as reporting in full in the morning:
paper speeches made the night before, had not been attempted pre-
viously, and it marked an epoch in local journalism.334
EDITORIAL NOTES
An Old Business Card.—Here is a facsimile of the business card
of the Buffalo Courier some 60 years ago:
MANCHESTER & CO.,
PUBLISHERS OF THE
BUFFALO COURIER,
DAILY, WEEKLY & TRI WEEKLY.
No. ltd Exchange Street,
B. A. Manchester, }
Jas. 0. Brayman,
Guy H. Salisbury. }
ISWIFlFA'Eii®^
JOB PRINTING PROMPTLY EXECUTED.
Mark Twain and The “ Express/ ’—Mark Twain's connection
with the Express has been briefly noted (page 224), but some further
record of it may appropriately be made here.
In July, 1869, his “Innocents Abroad" had been published, and
he found himself suddenly become a national celebrity. He continued,
however, to regard himself as a newspaper writer, and sought a
fixed connection with some Eastern journal. He considered Cleve-
land, where an opportunity offered; but learning that an interest
-could be bought in the Buffalo Express, came here and arranged
for the purchase of the one-third interest in the Express which
Thomas A. Kennett was just then eager to dispose of. Mr. Kennett
was a Yale graduate, and a practical newspaper man, with editorial
experience on the New Yorlc World and other papers. In 1866, with
J. N. Larned and Col. George H. Selkirk, he had bought the Express,
of which Col. Selkirk became business manager and Mr. Larned
-chief political editor. On the sale of his interest to Mark Twain,
Mr. Kennett returned to New York and became a member of the
firm of Noyes & Kennett, stock brokers. In 1873 he entered trade
journalism and for many years was on the staff of the Carpet and
Upholstery Trade Review. He also was associate editor of the
American Furniture Gasette, and with E. B. De Barard, afterwards
statistician of the New York Merchant's Association, started the
Ironmonger. He was also for two years editor of the Decorator
d Furnisher. Mr. Kennett died in New York, a year or so ago.
To return to Mark Twain. His biographer, Albert Bigelow
Paine, says that he undertook to pay Kennett $25,000 for his one-
third interest in the Express. In view of what the property thenEDITOBIAL NOTES
335
was—and what it was not—this appears a high figure. It evidently
•seemed so to others, for when Mr. Clemens gave it up, less than
a year later, he sold for $10,000 less than he had undertaken to pay;
and it is recorded that long after, he still owed a part of the pur-
chase price.
In a pleasant editorial, Aug. 16, 1869, Mr. Larned announced
that Samuel L. Clemens had become part owner of the Express,
referring to him as “an acquisition upon which any newspaper
would congratulate itself; ’ ’ and the readers of the paper were con-
gratulated because “they are hereafter to be regularly and familiarly
in the enjoyment of the humor of the most purely humorous pen
that is wielded in American journalism.” “ Familiarly9 ’ was a
happy word in this connection; but in predicting that Mark Twain 's
work was to be enjoyed “regularly” Mr. Larned showed that he did
not yet know Mark Twain.
The Express staff gave a dinner to the humorist, on the evening
of August 14th, — which was a Saturday evening, and there was
no Sunday Express in those days, to hurry the staff back to work.
It is related that when the new editor appeared at the Express office
the following week—it was upstairs in an old building at No. 14
East Swan street, torn down when the present Ellieott Square was
built—the sole occupant of the office was a youth who did not know
Mr. Clemens, and who enquired, “Is there some one you wish to
•see?”
“Well, yes,” was the slow reply. “I should like to see some
young man offer the new editor a chair.”
Mark Twain's “Salutatory” appeared in the Express of
August 21st, two-thirds of a column of the' most unconventional
remarks that a new editor ever offered to his readers.
Being a stranger [he began], it would be immodest and unbecom-
ing in me to suddenly and violently assume the associate editorship
of the Buffalo Express without a single explanatory word of comfort
or encouragement to the unoffending patrons of the paper, who are
about to be exposed to constant attacks of my wisdom and learning.
But this explanatory word shall be as brief as possible. I only
wish to assure parties having a friendly interest in the prosperity of
the journal, that I am not going to hurt the paper deliberately and
intentionally at any time. I am not going to introduce any startling
reforms, or in any way attempt to make trouble. I am simply going
to do my plain, unpretending duty, when I cannot get out of it; I
shall work diligently and honestly and faithfully at all times and
upon all occasions, when privation and want shall compel me to do it;
In writing, I shall always confine myself strictly to the truth, except
when it is attended with inconvenience; I shall witheringly rebuke
rail forms of crime and misconduct, except when committed by the336
EDITORIAL NOTES
party inhabiting my own vest; I shall not make use of slang or
vulgarity upon any oceasion or under any circumstances, and shall
never use profanity except in discussing house-rent and taxes.
Indeed, upon second thought, I will not even use it then, for it is
unchristian, inelegant and degrading—though to speak truly I da
not see how house-rent and taxes are going to be discussed worth a.
cent without it. I shall not often meddle with polities, because we
have a political editor who is already excellent, and only needs to-
serve a term in the penitentiary to be perfect. I shall not write any
poetry, unless I conceive a spite against the subscribers.
And much more in like vein; amazingly different from any-
thing the readers of the Express had ever before found on its editorial
page; highly nonsensical, no doubt, and yet the effect of it was to-
hold up to a not undeserved ridicule a custom more honored in the
breach than in observance. Mark Twain did not take himself too-
seriously:
In private life a man does not go and trumpet his crime before
he commits it, but your new editor is such an important personage
that he feels called upon to write a (1 salutatory'' at once..........
He parades his list of wonders that he is going to perform; of
reforms which he is going to introduce, and public evils which he
is going to exterminate; and publie blessings which he is going to>
create; and public nuisances which he is going to abate. He spreads
this all out with oppressive solemnity over a column and a half of
large print, and feels that the country is saved. His satisfaction,
over it is something enormous. He then settles down to his miracles
and inflicts profound platitudes and impenetrable wisdom upon &
helpless public as long as they can stand it, and then they send him
off Consul to some savage island in the Pacific in the vague hope
that the cannibals will like him well enough to eat him.
He goes on to emphasize his idea that if there is anything more
uncalled for than a Salutatory, it is a Valedictory; and while in his--
secret heart, he says, he admired his predecessor for not writing one,
yet in recognition of an old custom he argued that there should
have been one. He said as much to Mr. Kennett (if we accept
Mark's version) and he replied:
“I have resigned my place—I have departed this life—I am
journalistically dead, at present, ain't I?"
“Yes."
“Well, wouldn't you consider it disgraceful in a corpse to sit up*
and comment on the funeral?"
In this fashion did Mark Twain make his first appearance in
Buffalo journalism. That he was industrious, there is no question.
His biographer draws a word-picture of him, working early and
late in that old Swan street office, and discarding, as mood orEDITORIAL NOTES
337
temperature prompted, not only coat and waistcoat, collar and tie,
but even his shoes. Prom such absorption in work, one looks for an
abundant output; but when the files of the Express are searched the
result is somewhat disappointing. His contributions were printed
in the Saturday issue, the first one being headed “A Day at
Niagara,” followed by “Last Words of Great Men,” to which a
correspondent replied, in a vein worthy of Mark himself, that no
married men could be great because married men never had the
last word. In following issues appeared “The Legend of the
Capitoline Venus,” “The Cuban Patriot”—written more in earnest
than in jest—and a series of “Around the World Letters,” pur-
porting to be written by Professor D. R. Pord of the Elmira Female
College and Mark Twain; but, needless to say, all of the latter’s
concoction. The fearful and wonderful wood cuts that accompanied
some of his articles attracted as much attention as the stories them-
selves. Mr. Larned used to tell how Mark Twain enjoyed engraving,
with a jack-knife, his famous map of the Siege of Paris. Then
there was “A Curious Dream,” and “Journalism in Tennessee,”
and others, mostly not to be found in his collected works. A few,
deemed the best, were reprinted in the Express about the time of
Mr. Clemens’ death. But he was erratic and uncertain; there were
many issues in which readers looked in vain for Mark Twain; and
presently, in the winter of 1869-;70, he was off on a lecture tour.
Beginning with May, 1879, his best work went into the Galaxy, at
that period a monthly of enterprise and excellence. In April, 1870,
Mark Twain sold out his interest in the Express, at a loss; and this
ended his connection with the press of Buffalo. The Express had
profited little by it, for although it had won a certain reputation its.
subscription list, according to the biographer of the humorist, had
not appreciably grown.
A Famous Editorial.—In all the century and more of Buffalo-
journalism there has been no editorial more celebrated than one
Mark Twain wrote on the night of Sept. 30, 1869. The Republican
Convention at Saratoga had just nominated a ticket which the
Express was to support. It was not a gubernatorial year; for the
office of Secretary of State, which headed the ticket, George William
Curtis had been chosen. Mr. Larned, political editor of the Express,
was at Saratoga, and when news of the nominations came, there was
no one to write the usual editorial comment—except Mark Twain.
Today, in a like situation, the political editor would perhaps send
in his editorial by wire; they didn’t use the wire so freely, then.338
EDITORIAL NOTES
But in his own way, Mark Twain was entirely equal to the situation,
and this is the editorial Express readers found at the head of the
first editorial column, next morning:
THE TICKET—EXPLANATION.
Under the proper head will be found the telegram from the
State Convention announcing the nominations. As the political editor
of this paper, Mr. Larned, is absent, attending that convention; and
as I do not know much about polities, and am not sitting up nights
to learn; and as I am new to the Atlantic seaboard and its political
leaders, and consequently am not able to make oath that I am per-
fectly posted concerning the history, services, morals, politics and
virtues of any of these nominees except George William Curtis, I
shall discreetly hold my peace. /
I am satisfied that these nominations are all right and sound,
and that they are the only ones that can bring peace to our dis-
tracted country (the only political phrase I am perfectly familiar
with and competent to hurl at the public—the other editor is full of
them), but being merely satisfied isn't enough. I always like to
know, before I shout. But I go for Mr. Curtis with all my strength!
Being certain of him, I hereby shout all I know how. But the others
may be a split ticket, or a scratched ticket, or whatever you call it.
I will let it alone for the present. The other young man will be
back tomorrow, and he will shout for it, split or no split—rest
assured of that. He will prance into this political ring with his
tomahawk and his war-whoop, and then you will hear a crash and
see the scalps fly. He has none of my diffidence. He knows all
about these nominees—and if he don't he will let on to, in such a
natural way as to deceive the most critical. He knows everything—
he knows more than Webster's Unabridged and the American Encyclo-
paedia—but whether he knows anything about a subject or not he is
perfectly willing to discuss it. When he gets back, he will tell you
all about these candidates, as serenely as if you had been acquainted
with them a hundred years—though speaking confidentially, I doubt
if he ever heard of any of them till today. I am right well satisfied
it is a good, sound, sensible ticket, and a ticket to win—but wait till
he comes.
In the meantime, I go for George William Curtis, and take the
chances.
Mark Tw'ain.
The effect of this was heightened by the extreme dignity with
which Mr. Larned, the next day, ignoring the screed of his frivolous
associate, espoused the cause of George William Curtis. And the
joke of it—one of the jokes of it—was that Mr. Curtis declined the
nomination!
Here may be recorded Mark Twain's tribute to David Gray:
"The gentlest spirit and the loveliest that ever went clothed in
clay, since Sir Galahad laid him to rest."EDITORIAL NOTES
339
F. F. Fargo.—Many Buffalo editors have gone West. One at
least, came to Buffalo from the West, after an unusual experience.
A well-known figure in Buffalo newspaper life from the early '70's
on for a good many years, was Francis F. Fargo. His earlier activity
in the profession was in California, where he was a pioneer soon
after the gold discovery of 1848. In the early '50's he was active
in the strenuous politics of that State, was on the staff of Alta-
California in 1855, and an editor of the San Francisco Bulletin in
1858. In that year he established and published in San Francisco
ia Fremont & Dayton campaign paper called the Pathfinder. Sub-
sequently he founded the Alameda Go. Herald. In 1860 he was elected
to the Legislature from Alameda Co., and was his party's candidate
for Speaker. In 1861 he was elected Clerk of the Supreme Court
on the State ticket headed by Leland Stanford for Governor. At
the end of his term he came to Buffalo to reside.
In 1870, on the opening of the Union Pacific Railroad, he
revisited California, and wrote a series of articles for the Buffalo
Express. On his return he became associated with J. N. Larned
in editorial work on that paper, and when Mr. Larned was elected
Superintendent of Education, 1872, Mr. Fargo continued for a time
as managing editor of the Express. In later years he was a con-
tributor, or editorial writer for the Buffalo Times, and other journals.
Wanted to be a Reporter.—Newspaper offices are—or used to
be—prolific in stories of newspaper men. A diligent compiler could
gather many, but whether they could be rated as history or not is
.an open question. Some of these have been recorded, in pages pre-
ceding. One that may be added relates to Jacob A. Riis, the Danish—
now American—author and social worker, who more than forty years
ago came to Buffalo in quest of employment. Many years after, in
March, 1905, being in Buffalo for a lecture engagement, Mr. Riis
indulged in reminiscences of his first visit. As the laugh is supposed
to be on the Courier and Express of by-gone days, the incident prob-
ably did not suffer through being written by a Commercial reporter,
who recorded Mr. Riis' recollections as follows:
‘1 It was in the early '70's," said Mr. Riis, chuckling over the
memory of the occasion, “that I tried to secure a position on a
Buffalo paper as a reporter. At that time I was working on the
Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburg Railroad as a day laborer. I went
up in the Courier office at an hour when either the bulk of the staff
had not reported, or else were out on the street. I went through one
room after another and finally struck the exchange editor. When
I saw him I took him for the managing editor sure. There he sat340
EDITORIAL NOTES
with a pair of scissors and a big paste pot, the tools of the trade
as I had been led to understand, and I went up to him and in very
imperfect English made known my desire to secure work. When he
finally understood what I was trying to say he waved me away with
an almost imperial jesture.
“ My boy,' he said, ‘we never work here/
“I know from later experience in other newspaper offices that
that man lied.
“Then I went to the office of the Express and I waited in the
counting room until the managing editor came back from luncheon
and had him pointed out to me as he went through the counting
room. I caught him just at the foot of the stairs leading to the
editorial room and again asked to be engaged as a reporter. He
looked me up and down, scanning my poor apparel, and then he
threw his head back and laughed. Then he ran upstairs. I was
stunned for the moment, but then the grit that was in me came to
the surface and I ran after him.
“Half way up the stairs he heard me coming after him and
stopped. I stopped too, shook my fist at him and vowed then and
there that the time would come when the Express would be glad to
have my services and that, when that day came, it shouldn't have
them. And he just laughed again and ran up stairs.
“That editor's laugh has been ringing in my ears ever since.
It did me a lot of good, However, as it made me make up my mind
to be a reporter, anyway, and thus started me on my career at some-
thing better than a day laborer."
Mr. Riis tells the incident, rather better, in his book, “The
Making of an American," explaining that the Express editor asked:
“What are you?" and when Riis replied, “A carpenter," laughed
and shut the door in his face.
The Amateur Press of Buffalo.—A good many amateur
papers and magazines are noted in our list, though perhaps not all.
By nature ephemeral, it will be strange if some have not escaped
our notice.
The amateur publishing craze of the '70's and '80's developed
several Buffalo publications, not periodicals, which should be noted,
in any review of the subject. Mr. T. H. Parsons in 1882 published
an “Amateur Guide and Directory." The “Year-Book of the
National Amateur Press Association" was published in Buffalo in
1887 by Mr. M. P. Boechat; and in 1888 by John J. Ottinger. There
is nothing amateurish in the get-up of these well-edited and well-
printed little volumes, which record a curious phase of Young-Amer-
ican activity.
A Short, Convincing Sermon.—These Publications have in past
years contained so much canal history, that the following anecdote,
told by William C. Allen in the Westonian (Pa.), may well be added:EDITORIAL NOTES
341
In the days when the Erie Canal was projected many good
people of various denominations seriously felt that it was flying in
the face of Providence to build a canal from Buffalo to the seaboard.
If the Lord had intended that there be navigation across the State
would he not have made a waterway there?
In the midst of this weighty controversy it one day happened
that a certain minister attended a meeting where a most uncommercial
but well meaning brother talked long against the effort to build the
Canal. Surely, he was quite different from most Friends, who are
naturally quick to develop commerce. After he had proved to his
own satisfaction, at least, the evil of the thing, a long, gaunt figure,
with tense face and profound determination, if not disgust, depicted
in every lineament, arose, the angular body reached forward, a long
fore-finger was thrust out, while solemnly rolled forth this very pithy
sermon:
‘i And Jacob digged a well!' '
A Bare Buffalo Book.—There has recently been added to the
library of the Buffalo Historical Society an early Buffalo book
which is a great rarity. The title and collation are as follows:
Hyde (Jabez B[ackus]) Kianasa, nana nonedowaga neu-
wenuda. Hymns, in the Seneca language; by Jabez B. Hyde.
Buffalo:	Printed by H. A. Salisbury, 1819.
Pp. 1-40, 16mo, alternate Seneca and English text.
This is a second edition, with changes, of a work published in
Buffalo in 1818; and is, so far as known to the present writer, the
second book printed in Buffalo. The first, printed here by S. H.
and H. A. Salisbury, in 1812, is entitled:	“Public Speeches,
delivered at the Village of Buffalo, on the 6th and 8th days of July,
1812, by Hon. Erastus Granger, Indian Agent, and Eed Jacket, "
etc. The Buffalo Historical Society owns one of the two copies
known to be in existence. It is reproduced in facsimile, in Vol. VI.
of this Society's Publications. A later edition of Missionary Hyde's
“Kianasa,” with a somewhat different title, of identical significance,
“Kau a nau so Na na none do wau gau Neu wen nov da,” published
in Buffalo by H. A. Salisbury, 1827, is also in the library of the
Buffalo Historical Society.
No book or pamphlet bearing a Buffalo imprint, is known to
the present writer, between 1812 and 1818. This period embraces
the War of 1812, the destruction of Buffalo village, and its rebuild-
ing. In 1818, besides the “Kianasa,” there was printed here a
sermon, 11 The Unity of God,'' by Bev. Samuel Cooper Thacher:
Third American edition. “Buffalo: Printed by Carpenter & Salis-
bury, 1818." It is a 16mo pamphlet of 24 pages, but whether it342
EDITORIAL NOTES
was issued earlier or later in the year than the first edition of
“Kianasa,” cannot be stated.
Another early Buffalo imprint lately added to the Historical
Society library is entitled:	“The Parmer's Instructor; or Every
Man his own Lawyer/' compiled by “a gentleman of the bar/'
whose name does not appear. It is a leather bound duodecimo of 264
pages, published in Buffalo by Oliver Spafford, but printed by H. A.
Salisbury—whose portrait heads our group of pioneer printers—in
1823.
An Early Buffalo Poster.—The printing-press first came to
Buffalo in October, 1811. No printing of any sort is known to have
been done here before that date. Yet the Buffalo Historical Society
owns a quaint old poster or hand bill bearing the imprint: “Buffaloe,
April 16, 1811." It was probably printed in Canandaigua, with
the Buffalo date, and sent to the village on Buffalo Creek, and
elsewhere in the then Niagara County, for distribution.
The size of the form (the type impress) is 5 by 5% inches. The
paper on which it is printed—old rough-edged “rag"—is 8 by 8^
inches; and the announcement, with a variety of display type which
we do not attempt to reproduce, runs as follows:
AT a meeting of the Republican citizens of the Town of
Buffaloe, convened at the house of Samuel Atkins, by the particular
request of E. Granger, Esq., on the 15th day of April, 1811, for the
purpose of agreeing whether we will support Samuel Tupper, Esq.,
or Philo Orton, Esq., as member of Assembly at the next ensuing
election, and for other purposes—Mr. Benjamin Hodge was chosen
chairman, and Otis R. Hopkins, secretary.
Voted, unanimously That this meeting do pledge themselves to
support
SAMUEL TUPPER, ESQ.
As Member of Assembly at the next ensuing Election.
Resolved, That we will support
DEWITT CLINTON,
As Lieutenant Governor for the State, and
CASPER M. ROUSE,
As Senator for the Western District at the next ensuing election.
Resolved, That the chairman and secretary sign the proceedings
of this meeting and cause the same to be printed in handbills and
circulated through the county.
Benjamin Hodge, Chairman,
Otis R. Hopkins, Secretary.
Buffaloe, April 16, 1811.EDITORIAL NOTES
343
Old Buildings Gone.—The most notable building demolished in
Buffalo during 1915 was the Wilkeson homestead on Niagara Square.
Built in 1824 by Judge Samuel Wilkeson, it had been occupied by
the Wilkeson family continuously from that time till its destruc-
tion. It was a fine, dignified old mansion, and had been the scene
of many notable gatherings; but was especially cherished as the
home of a conspicuously public-spirited and patriotic family, whose
service to Buffalo began with the first improvement of her harbor.
The house, with its old-fashioned portico, looked out upon Niagara
Square from its large grounds, in quiet dignity, in great contrast
to the heterogeneous structures that crowd that part of the city.
The Square could ill afford to lose anything of architectural worth.
During the year 1915 the old Jefferson homestead at No. 157
Mohawk street, has been demolished. It is said to have been built
about 1830, and from 1854 to within a few years was the home of
Mr. Thomas M. Jefferson, who had his tin-ware manufactory and
store on the ground floor.
The old house at the right (in our picture) with the fan window
in the gable, also torn down, had undergone many changes in the
60 years or so of its existence. Por many years it was known as
John Chamberlain's carriage shop, and earlier yet it was Brainerd's
flour and feed store. A recent tenant was D. Lund.
New business buildings replace these old structures, which look
out on a parked triangle, adorned with a fine bust of Verdi, pre-
sented to the eity by residents of Italian blood.
The disappearance of the old Vandeventer house, with its well-
kept grounds, at No. 1458 Main street, has lessened the attractiveness
of that neighborhood. Another landmark that has gone was the old
Black Bock custom house. These, and a few other pictures, mark the
constant change taking place in the city. As the year 1915 closes
there are many indications that our pictorial record of vanished
landmarks will be greatly extended in the coming year.APPENDIX
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
BUFFALO HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
1915PROCEEDINGS OF THE
BUFFALO HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
FIFTY-THIRD ANNUAL MEETING, JANUARY 12, 1915.
The fifty-third annual meeting of the Buffalo Historical Society
was held at the Historical Building, Tuesday evening, January 12,.
1915; President Henry W. Hill in the chair. The attendance was
small. The secretary read the minutes of the preceding annual
meeting, which were approved. President Hill then delivered his
annual address, which here follows:
THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.
Gentlemen of the Board of Managers of the Buffalo Historical
Society, Ladies and Gentlemen:
It must be apparent to all familiar with the activities of this
Society, that it is filling a most important place in the educational
and social life of this city, while adhering strictly to the purposes
of its founders. Its research work and its Publications have done
something to perpetuate in memory and in enduring record the history
of the activities of the aborigines and of the representatives of the
three nations, which have successively occupied the Niagara Frontier,
thus contributing much to a popular understanding of the operation
of the ethnic forces in the evolution of our institutions. The waning
influence of the red men since the advent of explorers, traders,
missionaries and settlers into this territory appears in many papers
of the Publications of the Society, and in such poems as “The Last
of the Kah-Kwahs,9 9 by David Gray, read before the Society, March
13th, 1863; “Onondaga Castle" and other poems suggested by the
re-burial of the old chiefs at Forest Lawn, where stands the heroic-
size bronze statue to Red Jacket, Sa-go-ye-wath-a, said by the late
Judge George W. Clinton to be “the greatest Indian orator this
continent has given birth to."
The parting wail of this Demosthenes of the vanishing Iroquois,
preserved in the inscription at the base of the monument, erected
by this Society in Forest Lawn Cemetery, is both pathetic and
eloquent. Its English version is as follows:
“When I am gone and my warnings are no longer heard, the
craft and avarice of the white man will prevail. My heart fails me,
when I think of my people so soon to be scattered and forgotten."
346HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF BUFFALO
347
Hardly less touching than these words was the address of the
late Chief Nathaniel Strong on December 29, 1863, before the
Young Men's Christian Association at St. James Hall, Buffalo, from
which the following is excerpted:
“I stand before you now in the last hours of a death-stricken
people. A few summers ago our council fires lighted up the archer
of the primeval wood which shadowed the spot where your city now
stands. Its glades rang with the shouts of our hunters and the
gleeful laugh of our maidens. The surface of yonder bay and river
was seamed only by the feathery wake of our bark canoes. The*
smoke of our cabins curled skyward from slope and valley.
“To-night! to-night! I address you as an alien in the land
of my fathers. I have no nation, no country, and, I might say,
I have no kindred. All that we loved, and prized, and cherished,
is yours. The land of the rushing river, the thundering cataract
and the jeweled lakes is yours. All these broad blooming fields,
those wooded hills and laughing valleys are yours—yours alone.
“I would I had the eloquence of Bed Jacket that I might
fitly speak of the wrongs and sorrows of my people. O, let your
hearts be stirred with pity toward them, and when the spring
violets blossom over my grave and that of the last of the Buffalo-
Senecas—as soon they will—let not our memory perish with us. .	.
“There is one boon we ask of you. Gather up tenderly the
bones of Bed Jacket, Cornplanter, Young King, Pollard and their
brother chieftains and bury them in yonder cemetery, where the
plow of the husbandman will not invade their repose. There, in
the sight of their own beautiful river, and under the shadow of
the trees they loved so much, our sachems will sleep well.
“Within the limits of this city the great orator once said:
‘But an evil day came upon us. Your forefathers crossed the
great waters and landed on this island. Their numbers were small.
They found friends—not enemies. They told us they had fled from
their own friends for fear from wicked men, and had come here
to enjoy their religion. They asked for a small seat. We took
pity on them and granted their request, and they sat down amongst
us. We gave them corn and meat.'
“Brothers of the pale race; we crave now, in our turn, but ‘a
small seat' in yonder domain of the dead!"
The address of Brig.-General Ely S. Parker at the commemora-
tive exercises at Music Hall on October 9, 1884, is worthy the great
Indian that he was, speaking as he did on that occasion as the
representative of the Iroquois.
Other passages might be cited to show something of the spirit
of those “whose council fires were here before ours," and the remains
of whose possessions are rapidly disappearing from this and other
parts of the State. The archives and publications of this Society
contain much bearing on the life and history of the Senecas and348
PEOCEEDINGS OF THE
other nations of the Iroquois Confederacy and we are yearly adding
thereto.
In the course of his address at Plattsburgh on July 7, 1909, on
“The Iroquois and the struggle for America/7 the Honorable Elihur
Hoot said:
“A century or more before the white settlement five Indian
nations of the same stock and language, under the leadership of
extraordinary political genius, had formed a confederacy for the
preservation of internal * peace and for common defense against
external attack. Their territories extended in 1609 from the
St. Lawrence to the Susquehanna; from Lake Champlain and the
Hudson to the Genesee, and, a few years later, to the Niagara.
There, dwelt side by side the Mohawks, the Oneidas, the Onondagas,
the Cayugas, and the Senecas, in the firm union of Ho-de-no-sau-nee—
•the Long House of the Iroquois.
“The Algonquin tribes that surrounded them were still in the
lowest stage of industrial life and for their food added to the
spoils of the chase only wild fruits and roots. The Iroquois had
passed into the agricultural stage. They had settled habitations
and cultivated fields. They had extensive orchards of the apple,
made sugar from the maple, and raised corn and beans and squash
and pumpkins. The surrounding tribes had only the rudimentary
political institution of chief and followers. The Iroquois had
a carefully devised constitution well adapted to secure confederate
authority in matters of common interest, and local authority in
matters of local interest.
“Each nation was divided into tribes, the Wolf tribe, the
Bear tribe, the Turtle tribe, etc. The same tribes ran through all
the nations, the section in each nation being bound by ties of con-
sanguinity to the sections of the same tribe in the other nations.
Thus a Seneca Wolf was brother to every Mohawk Wolf, a Seneca
Bear to every Mohawk Bear. The arrangement was like that of our
college societies with chapters in different colleges. So there were
bonds of tribal union running across the lines of national union;
und the whole structure was firmly knit together as by the warp and
woof of a textile fabric.
“The government was vested in a council of 50 sachems, a
fixed number coming from each nation. The sachems from each
nation came in fixed proportions from specific tribes in that nation;
the office was hereditary in the tribe; and the member of the tribe
to fill it was elected by the tribe.
“The sachems of each nation governed their own nation in all
local affairs. Below the sachems were elected chiefs on the military
side and Keepers of the Faith on the religious side. Crime was
exceedingly rare; insubordination was unknown; courage, fortitude
and devotion to the common good were universal.
“The territory of the Long House covered the watershed
between the Saint Lawrence basin and the Atlantic. From it the
waters ran into the Saint Lawrence, the Hudson, the Delaware,
the Susquehanna, and the Ohio. Down these lines of communication
the war parties of the confederacy passed, beating back or over-HISTOBICAL SOCIETY OF BUFFALO
349
whelming their enemies until they had become overlords of a vast
region extending far into New England, the Carolinas, the valley
of the Mississippi, and to the coast of Lake Huron.
“They held in subjection an area including the present States
of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio,
Kentucky, West Virginia, Northern Virginia and Tennessee, and parts
of New England, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ontario. .	.	.
“Fortunately for England, between the two parties all along
the controlling strategic line from this Lake Champlain to the
gateway of the West at Port Duquesne, stretched the barrier of the
Long House and its tributary nations. They were always ready,
always organized, always watchful. They continually threatened
and frequently broke the great French military line of communi-
cation. Along the whole line they kept the French continually in
jeopardy. Before the barrier the French built forts and trained
soldiers—behind it the English cleared the forests and built homes
and cultivated fields and grew to a great multitude, strong in indi-
vidual freedom and in the practice of self-government. Again and
again the French hurled their forces against the Long House, but
always with little practical advantage. At one time De Tracy, the
Viceroy, burned villages and laid waste the land of the Iroquois
with 1,200 French soldiers. At another, La Barre, the Governor*
with 1,800; at another, Denonville, with 2,000; at another, Frontenac
with 600; still another, Frontenac with 1,000- Always there came
also a cloud of Algonquin allies. Always the Iroquois retired and
then returned, rebuilt their villages, replanted their fields, resumed
their operations, and in their turn took ample revenge for their
injuries.9 9
It is unnecessary to quote further, or from others who have
spoken of the functions of the Iroquois Confederacy in aiding the
settlers of this territory in establishing its language, laws and
institutions. That it became an English speaking population rather
than one speaking the French language is due in no small degree
to the Long House, which proved an impassable barrier to the
invading Algonquins and their French allies, who took possession
of the territory now comprised in the Province of Quebec. The
French remained there in large numbers though its governmental
control passed from France to Great Britain.
It will be remembered that the alliance of the Indians of the
Province with the British continued during the Revolution, when
under the leadership of Joseph Brant, Chief of the Mohawks, Walter
Butler and others, inspired by such British subjects as Guy Johnson,
Sir Guy Carlton and others, they devastated the farms and homes
of the settlers, burnt their villages and in some instances butchered
the inhabitants, who were loyal to the recommendations of the Con-
tinental Congress. All this, together with the carnage at Cherry
Valley, Wyoming and elsewhere made a deep impression on the loyal350
PBOCEEDINGS OF THE
.subjects of the colonies. These bloody incursions of the Tories and
Indians of some of the Six Nations, and especially of the Senecas
against the settlements along the Hudson and other rivers and in
other parts of the colony, were so destructive of life and property
that some organized force was necessary to check them. The
Indians under Brant's leadership united with Barry St. Leger at
Oswego, and fought with him at Oriskany. They had joined forces
with Burgoyne on Lake Champlain and fought with him at Saratoga,
and they continued to harrass and annoy loyal subjects everywhere
-until General Washington dispatched Major-General Sullivan with
an organized force in 1779 against them. Their fields were laid
waste, their homes made desolate and their villages reduced to
ashes, so that little of their possessions remained in the territory
east of the Niagara, through which the Sullivan expedition passed.
The Iroquois transmitted little to their successors other than
their possessions and the names of places, lakes and rivers, as
•shown by William M. Beauchamp. Still their alliance, first with the
Butch and then with the British, prevented the territory comprised
in the Province of New York, from permanent occupancy by the
French. That prepared the way for the prevalence of Anglo-Saxon
institutions of individual liberty, as now guaranteed by the Federal
and State constitutions, and also largely determined individual
ownership and rights of property. Members of this Society were
interested in such places as the old Seneca Mission Cemetery located
in the Buffalo Creek Reservation on the site of an old Indian circular
fort, now in Seneca Park, and near it, the old Council House, the
Mission Church, the home of Mary Jemison, and the Red Jacket
vcabin, while they remained standing. It is certain that the old
Indian burial ground, recently given to the city by Mr. and Mrs.
John B. Larkin, and known as the Seneca Park, will be spared,
'despite the extension of city improvements in that direction.
On May 30, 1905, this Society unveiled a headstone at the
grave of Bo-ne-ho-geh-weh, known to us as Brigadier-General Ely S.
Parker, with appropriate exercises. Some of his letters, and his
•autobiography appear in volume VIII of the Society's Publications.
Such writings as those of James E. Seaver, Rev. Asher Wright,
Ebenezer Mix and Hon. Lewis H. Morgan, on Mary Jemison—Beh-
he-wa-mis—the white woman, who spent 78 years in captivity, throw
much light on her life among the Senecas, where she married two
Indian chiefs. Her narrative includes an account of the murder of
her father and his family, her sufferings and something of Indian
'barbarities, customs and traditions.HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF BUFFALO
351
This Society has always taken a deep interest in the Senecas,
-as evidenced by the activities of the late Orsamus H. Marshall, its
president in 1870, of the late William C. Bryant, its president in
1876, the late Judge James Sheldon, its president in 1874, 1875 and
1886, the late Hon. William P. Letchworth, its president in 1878;
and others, some of whom were instrumental in securing for the
remains of Bed Jacket and other distinguished chiefs, sepulchre in
Forest Lawn Cemetery. They also in other ways did much to per-
petuate in history something of the activities of the Senecas and
the Iroquois Confederacy, an imaginative record of whose formation
may be found in the Indian pageant “ Hiawatha, the O jib way, ’ ’ in
the First Beport of the New York Lake Champlain Tercentenary Com-
mission of 1909. Nor will it be forgotten that Mr. Letchworth
-acquired the ancient Council House of the Senecas, a building of
hewed logs at Caneadea, in 1871, then falling into decay, removed
it a distance of 18 miles to Glen Iris and re-erected it in that park,
donated by Mr. Letchworth to the State where it is now preserved in
its simplicity as the first parliament building of Western New York.
On October 1, 1872, the Council fires were relighted in this famous
Council House in its new and beautiful environment, a record of
which may be found in the report thereof, made by Mr. Henry B.
Howland, a member of the Board of Managers of this Society,
contained in volume VI of the Society’s Publications.
David Gray, an editor of the Buffalo Courier, was the poet on
■that occasion, and his beautiful poem entitled “The Last Indian
Council on the Genesee” closes with the following stanza:
“Quenched is the fire; the drifting smoke
Has vanished in the autumn haze.
Gone, too, O Vale, the simple folk
Who loved thee in old days.
But, for their sakes—their lives serene,
Their loves, perchance as sweet as ours—
Oh, be thy woods for aye more green,
And fairer bloom thy flowers.”
Shortly after this the log cabin, built by Mary Jemison, was
transferred from the Gardeau Tract and placed near the Council
House and her remains were taken from the Indian Mission burial-
ground at Buffalo on March 7, 1874, and re-interred in a new grave
between the old Council House and her log cabin in Glen Iris Park,
where stands a bronze statue to Mary Jemison by the sculptor,
Henry K. Bush-Brown, erected by Mr. Letchworth in September,
1910. I suggest that the Board of Managers visit Glen Iris Park
•during the coming summer, where brief exercises may be held in the352
PROCEEDINGS OF TEE
Old Parliament Council House, the arena of many an Indian oratorical
contest.
The work of this Society has included many other activities.
It has hitherto marked, and also cooperated with other associations
in marking, historic places along the Niagara Frontier. It has also
erected the Red Jacket monument and placed headstones in Forest
Lawn on the Red Jacket plot.
Volume XVI of its Publications, known as “The Picture Book
of Earlier Buffalo," contains nearly 500 illustrations, principally
of buildings in this vicinity, most of which have disappeared. Some
of them were historic spots, as the Seneca Mission House, still
standing on Buffam Street, the Wilkeson mansion on Niagara
Square, the Johnson Cottage on Delaware Avenue, the Fillmore
residence and others. The collection and publication in one volume
of the illustrations of so many buildings and views of old Buffalo
has attracted wide attention and has been a service to the people
of this city of enduring historic value. Succeeding generations of
its citizens will prize these more and more as time goes on and
their outlines fade into the dim haze of indistinct mental pictures.
Many of these have already passed out of memory.
The seventeen volumes of Publications issued by the Society
contain unique reproductions of many papers of almost priceless
historic value, either owned by the Society, or loaned to it for
publication and distribution to its members. It is the aim of its
Board of Managers to publish on the average one additional volume
a year, which volumes are distributed gratuitously to all members
in good standing. A course of instructive and entertaining lectures,
mostly illustrated, is also provided for the members, who are thus
amply rewarded for their moderate annual dues.
The lectures have been well attended, notwithstanding that other
attractions have occasionally occurred elsewhere in the city on
the evenings when our lectures are given. I think all who have
heard them, will agree that they have been edifying and entertaining,
though they were not limited to the discussion or presentation of
matters of local history. These matters are covered more in
formal papers and occasional addresses, and require closer concen-
tration of thought on the part of the listeners than is expected in
a course of popular lectures. The time has already come when it
is quite the fashion to convey the truths of history through the
drama and works of fiction, and still more realistically through
pageantry, as was done a few years since at Warwick, England,
and at Quebec, Canada, and recently at St. Louis, Missouri, andEISTOBICAL SOCIETY OF BUFFALO
353
last September at Plattsburgh in our own State. The effectiveness
of this manner of presenting historical facts might be questioned,
but such historians as the late Justice Winsor, the editor of the
“Narrative and Critical History of America,;; and others make
frequent use of illustration by way of reproducing, so far as possible,
pictures of all forms of historical material, that admit of repre-
sentation by pictures, illustrations and prints of various kinds.
This is apparent from the illuminating illustrations found in such
works as “Records of the Past.” We all appreciate more and
more the value and directness of information received through the
sense of sight, in such a case as the impression made upon one by
good photographs of antique temples and arches, inscriptions on
structures of various kinds, and reproductions of coins, facsimile
pages of manuscripts, and views of buildings, statuary, paintings,
and other works of art.
Even Macaulay did not approve of judging the past by a refer-
ence to it alone, but suggested that the events narrated might be
illustrated, and in this way be given a force and setting they
might not otherwise have. This is still more apparent, when we
consider modern methods of research in historical pursuits. The
historian, quite as truly as the scientist, must be a specialist.
He must analyze before he can synthesize, and this with infinite
patience and discernment. He must know facts in all their rami-
fications, before he is warranted in deducing results and forming
conclusions. The careless, and I might say almost reckless, methods
of many writers on historical subjects, prior to the Nineteenth
Century, rendered their productions confusing and almost worth-
less. Some of them were little more than allegories. The last
half of the Nineteenth Century ended the apotheosis of the phil-
osophy of history. When dramatic creations to impersonate the
miraculous intervention of Providence in the exegesis of human
events gave way before the intense light of research into the foun-
dations of the science of history, many of the monumental produc-
tions of those writers on historical subjects, who drew more largely
from their imagination, than from facts underlying and shaping
the social forces of the world, ceased to have any compelling
influence over the activities of explorers, thinkers and writers, who
were tracing effects back to their causes in the pursuits of research
work, such as that of various exploration societies into the mounds
and ruins of the great cities of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Asia Minor, the
Isles of the Mediterranean, and elsewhere. Generalization based
on vague and uncertain conclusions gave way before an array of354
PROCEEDINGS OF THE
facts brought to light through specialized efforts by keen discerners
of the truth in all departments of history, which must be largely
rewritten in the light of disclosures being made the world over.
The founders of this Society had this in view when they
limited its activities to research and other historical work along
the Niagara Frontier and the commerce tributary thereto, and did
not extend its scope into the domain of general history. For half
a century it has been so occupied, and still there remains much
more to be done, and will as long as this city continues its growth
in ways that augment historical data, and as its activities increase
in different directions.
Allusion has already been made to the Society's Publications,
devoted largely to the journals of explorers, traders, settlers and
military expeditions into this region. Hardly a year passes in which
there do not come here several assemblages of men representing
various branches of business, the liberal and applied arts, govern-
mental and diplomatic commissions, and thousands of tourists from
all parts of this and other countries to visit Niagara Falls, to view
its electrical development, and to tour up or down the Great Lakes,
all contributing something to the upbuilding of this city, and taking
from us some of its life to infuse into the life of the nation. For-
tunately for us, the Historical Society is one of the objective points
usually visited by all comers. They are attracted by the artistic design
of this marble building and its superb environment; and once within
its gates, they become interested in its archives and collections, and
its spacious proportions and its adaptability to the pursuit of his-
torical work. The impression it leaves upon all comers, so far as I
am advised, is favorable and enduring. Thus the building and its
uses are becoming widely known. This society occupies a unique
position among the historical societies in this country, pursuing in
their respective fields of activity, work of a somewhat similar
character. And this leads me to remark that there is a growing
interest in such historical work as we are conducting, all over the
country. Hundreds of historical societies have been formed in
America to preserve and perpetuate its history. They are doing
largely specialized work, which is of the highest importance in
determining the social forces and fundamental principles, which
represent the opinions of successive generations that have been
translated into action, into law, and into governmental institution.
Investigation of conditions and the study of institutions, led
Abraham Lincoln, endowed, as he was, with the qualities of a great
reasoner, to definite conclusions in relation to human slavery. LaterEISTOBICAL SOCIETY OF BUFFALO
355
he was able to secure their enactment into statute and constitutional
law, which did away with slavery and all its evils in this Republic.
His conclusions largely prepared the way for the amendments to
the Constitution of the United States to insure its citizens in the
enjoyment of life, liberty and property. Thus are opinions trans-
lated into permanency and thus do they become the principles upon
which government rests. The historian must therefore give due
consideration to all such formative forces in the evolution of human
institutions.
The importance of a right understanding of such institutions
in such a democracy as this cannot be over-estimated; especially
important in these large centers of population, where societies like
this are actively engaged, are the collection, preservation and dissem-
ination of historical information in relation to the foundation of our
government.
During the past year your President was appointed by Governor
Martin H. Glynn, a member of the Plattsburgh Centenary Commis-
sion, and has since served in that capacity. It may be of interest
to know that the Plattsburgh Centenary celebration was second only
to the Perry celebration in Buffalo in 1913. It was hardly less
elaborate, and possibly more devoted to the literature of the War of
1812, than was the Perry celebration. The exercises continued from
September 6th to September 11th, in the city of Plattsburgh, New
York, and in the city of Vergennes, Vermont. They were attended
by the Governors of the states of New York and Vermont; the
Secretary of the Navy; Admiral Clark; and Sir Charles P. Davidson,
Chief Justice of the Superior Court of the Province of Quebec;
Justice William R. Riddell of the Supreme Court of Ontario; ex-
Judge Wallace Nesbitt of Toronto; Hon. Robert C. Smith of Mon-
treal; the grand-children of Thomas Macdonough and of General
Alexander Macomb, and by many distinguished eitizens of the states
of New York and Vermont, and other New England states, with a
brigade of the Regular Army in command of Colonel W, A. Mann.
Elaborate pageants, produced on three or more occasions, were par-
ticipated in by 1200 people, largely the descendants of the genera-
tion that occupied Clinton County at the time of the Battle of
Plattsburgh in September, 1814. These included 20 or more historical
episodes of events occurring in and about Plattsburgh from the
time of the discovery of Lake Champlain in 1609, down to and subse-
quent to the Battle of Plattsburgh.
In the North American Beview for August, 1914, will be found
an article by the late Rear Admiral A. T. Mahan, U. S. N., on356
PROCEEDINGS OF TEE
“Commodore Maedonough at Plattsburgh,” which was written at
the request of the Plattsburgh Centenary Commission, and the last
contribution on that subject by the Admiral before his death. It is
well worthy of careful perusal by members of this Society, not only
on account of the light it throws on the naval engagement on Lake
Champlain, but also on account of the information it contains in rela-
tion to the movement of troops along the Niagara Frontier, and
Commodore Perry’s Victory on Lake Erie.
The literary exercises at the Plattsburgh Centenary on September
11th, 1914, were presided over by the Hon. Francis Lynde Stetson of
New York, chairman of the Commission, and included addresses by
Governor Martin H. Glynn, Secretary Josephus Daniels of the Navy,
President John H. Thomas of Middlebury College, who was the
principal orator for the occasion, and a poem by Percy Maekaye. In
the evening a banquet was given at the new Hotel Champlain at
Bluff Point, to about 500 guests; and the post-prandial exercises,
presided over by Chairman Stetson, included addresses by Governor
Glynn, Secretary Daniels, Hon. Thomas F. Conway, vice-chairman of
the Commission, Mr. Justice Riddell, Hon. R. C. Smith, and others.
Nearly all the speakers emphasized the Centenary of Peace and all
the amenities that had come to the two nations as a result of it.
At Riverside Cemetery floral wreaths were laid on the graves of
American soldiers and marines by Sir Charles B. Davidson and on
the grave of Captain George Downie, by Dr. Hamilton W. Mabie.
Both the formal address of Sir Charles P. Davidson as well as
that of Dr. Hamilton W. Mabie, were touching tributes to the valor
of those who lost their lives in the naval and land engagement, but
they laid special emphasis on the hundred years of peace that followed
and the importance of its continuance.
A short address was made at the site of Fort Moreau by Col.
Charles G. Morton, giving an account of the land engagement and
the position of the contending forces. There were other exercises,
but of a less historical character.
Exercises were held at Vergennes under the auspices of the
Maedonough Commission of Vermont on September 6th, 7th and
8th. These were of an historical character. On September 6th,
these were presided over by Rev. L. A. Vezina, when Rodney Mac-
donough, grandson of Commodore Thomas Maedonough, delivered an
address on the life of the Commodore. Senator William P. Dillingham
of Vermont also delivered a formal address on that occasion. On
Monday, September 7th, there were a naval parade and water carnival,
under the direction of the Champlain Yacht Club, when the Commis-HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF BUFFALO
357
sioners, speakers and guests were conveyed from Vergennes to the
site of Fort Cassin at the mouth of Otter Creek, where formal
exercises were held, presided over by Governor Allen M. Fletcher.
Addresses were made by the Hon. Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the
Navy, Hon. Joseph A. De Boer, of Montpelier, and the historical
address was made by your President, Henry W. Hill, who took for
his subject 1 1Otter Creek in History.” The celebration also included
exercises on the following day at Vergennes, presided over by Gover-
nor Fletcher, at which Senator Willard Saulsbury of Delaware,
Secretary Daniels of the Navy, Rev. John P. Chadwick of the Platts-
burgh Commission and others spoke. These were followed in the
evening by a banquet, presided over by Judge Frank L. Fish of the
Macdonougb Commission. The post-prandial exercises included ad-
dresses by Secretary Daniels, Congressman Frank L. Greene, Con-
gressman Frank I. Plumley and others. The exercises at Plattsburgh
and Vergennes were well attended.
The Government of the United States has appropriated $125,000,
toward a monument to be erected to Commodore Thomas Macdonough,
in the vicinity of Plattsburgh, and $15,000, toward a monument to the
Commodore at Vergennes. The site and character of both of these
are under consideration at the present time, and your president is
on the sub-committee to make recommendations with reference to the
former.
The Perry celebration along Lake Erie and the Plattsburgh
Centenary celebration brought out clearly the important and decisive
naval engagements that largely determined the War of 1812, and
prepared the way for the Treaty of Ghent, concluded on December
24, 1814. It is proposed to commemorate the centenary of the ratifi-
cation of this treaty by exercises in the educational institutions
of the city to be held on February 17, 1915, that being the hundredth
anniversary of its ratification by the United States Senate. A com-
mittee, of which your president is chairman, is now engaged in
preparing a programme for the use of colleges, academies, public
and private schools. This will be made the occasion of papers and
brief addresses on the casus T)elH, the matters considered by the
Commissioners, the conclusions reached by them and the benefits to
both nations of a century of peace.
It will be remembered that Buffalo had been laid waste during
that war and that the Niagara Frontier had suffered quite as
much as any part of the United States. The Treaty of Peace was
welcome news to the people of Western New York. It was followed
in 1817 by a treaty negotiated by Richard Rush, acting Secretary358
PROCEEDINGS OF THE
of State on the part of the United States, and Charles Bagot, Envoy-
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary on behalf of Great
Britain, which limited the naval force on the Northern Lakes, allowed
to the United States and Great Britain each only one vessel of 100
tons, armed with one 18-pound cannon on Lake Ontario, to two
vessels of like size and armament on the Upper Lakes and to one
vessel of like size and armament on Lake Champlain; all other
vessels were to be immediately disarmed. That was ratified by the
United States and Great Britain and put into ‘operation by the
proclamation of President Monroe on April 28, 1818* Since that
time fortifications along the frontier have disappeared and the com-
merce of the Great Lakes has grown to the extraordinary volume
of one hundred million of tons annually, and perfect freedom of
intercourse between the two nations exists along the frontier from
the Atlantic to the Pacific. Thus is verified the statement that
“ Peace hath her victories,
No less renowned than war. ’ ’
Who shall estimate what this century of peace has contributed tu
Buffalo and to its growth from the ashes of 1813 to the second city
of the Empire State and the second largest commercial inland port
in the world? It is well that the present and rising generation,
especially of this city, pause in their activities long enough to con-
sider and ponder over what they may owe to this century of peace
between the two great English speaking nations, across whose unfor-
tified boundary extending from ocean to ocean, they and all others
similarly situated along the frontier may pass and repass as freely,
as the citizens of one State across the boundary into another State.
This Society has greatly profited thereby and has enriched its
library, archives and collections by many additions thereto from
Canadian sources.
During the past year the Society has lost several of its active'
members, including Mr. Robert R. Hefford, one of the oldest and
most attentive members of its Board of Managers. His genial
presence is sadly missed by his colleagues. His long and valuable
services as one of the administrative officers of this Society cannot
be overestimated.
A list of all the members, deceased during the year, will appear
in the report of the Secretary, which is to follow. It is important
that the membership be increased to sustain the organization ‘ in its
work and to maintain popular interest in its activities, which are
largely supported from the annual dues from its members. TheseEISTOBICAL SOCIETY OF BUFFALO
359
dues are put to the very best possible use in carrying forward its
publications and in maintaining its lecture course. I hope that many
new members may be secured during the coming year. The condition
of its financial affairs will appear from the treasurer's report that
is to follow.
In closing I take this occasion to express publicly to my associates
in the Board of Managers my deep appreciation of their services and
support during the past year. The regular monthly meetings and the
special meetings have been well attended and the affairs of the
Society have been administered in a thoroughly business-like and
economical manner. It has necessarily involved personal sacrifice on
the part of each member of the Board, who has devoted such time
and consideration to the affairs of this Society, as were necessary.
It is a public service, however, and its rewards are in the satisfaction
of such work well done.
Following President Hill's address, Mr. Frank H. Severance,
Secretary-Treasurer, submitted his annual report as follows:
SECRETARY'S REPORT FOR 1914.
Mr. President, Members of the Society:
I have the honor to submit herewith a report on the state of
the Buffalo Historical Society in 1914.
It may be prefaced with the assurance that the institution is
flourishing, is carefully and economically administered, and that its
activities tend to increase.
What promised to be an active participation in the Peace Cen-
tenary has been cut short by the Great War; but special recognition
of regional events connected with the Peace Centenary will be made
in the next volume of our Publications.
Building. The principal work on the building during the year
was the painting and calcimining of ceilings. Two ventilators were
placed on the roof, connecting with the attic and museum, with
good result. Some repairs to gutters and copper roof-work were
also made. Outside mahogany doors were redressed. An extensive
renewal of electric lamps is desirable, and is now in the hands of a
committee. The engineer advises some slight changes in steam pipes
and connections. This matter will be presented to the Board of
Managers at its next meeting.
We are still troubled with basement dampness, especially at
the change of seasons. Though not so aggravated as in earlier
years, it remains a problem to be met. The installation of a small360
PROCEEDINGS OF THE
boiler, so that a slight degree of heat can be maintained when the
larger heating plant is shut down would probably dry out the rooms
where there is now, in late spring and early summer, much condensa-
tion and dampness. This matter will also shortly be submitted to
the Board.
The secretary recommends that when weather permits, the fence
surrounding the old soldiers ’ burying ground at Williamsville,
owned by this Society, be adequately repaired or replaced with a
new one.
Membership. The active membership of the Society shows a
slight increase during the year, 30 new members being received, one
of which was a life member. It will probably be necessary during
the coming year to drop a number for non-payment of dues. An
unusual number have failed to make any response to our repeated
requests during the year past.
Our losses by death during the year 1914 were as follow:
January	3—Frederick C. Busch, M. D.................Resident	member
February	1—Gen. James Grant Wilson..................Honorary	member
“	3—Charles F. Bingham.......................Resident	member
“	4—Dr. Ray V. Pierce........................Resident	member
f<	15—Roswell Park, M. D...............Resident	member
March	21—Trueman G. Avery............................Life	member
a	22—Miss Martha J. F. Murray................Resident	member
11	26—Philos G. Cook...................Resident	member
lt	30—George W. White.............................Life	member
April	13—Hon. Charles W. Hinson..................Resident	member
October	7—Henry C. Ladd............................Resident	member
“	7—'Robert R. Hefford.......................Resident	member
a	22—William A. King.........................Resident	member
November 17—Benjamin R. Ellis................ Resident	member
“	23—William Johnson.........................Resident	member
December	6—Spencer Clinton..........................Resident	member
16—(Frank W. Fiske..................Resident member
Several of these were long-time friends, for years active and
interested in the work of the Society. Mr. Hefford had been a
member of the Board of Managers for six years and his loss is much
felt by his associates in that body.
Museum. The museum has made substantial progress, due
largely to the continued interest and liberality of Mr. Wm. A. Galpin.
He has greatly added to his collections, especially of historical
engravings, and has made a special collection of portraits of celebri-HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF BUFFALO
361
ties accompanied by their autographs. This proves of much interest
to visitors.
Lieut. John Winn, chief boatswain, U. S. N., retired, has given
us many relics of the Navy, of our war with Spain, weapons from
the Philippines, etc. Others whose gifts merit special mention
include:	The trustees of the Blocher Homes, who gave us a large
album filled with portraits of prominent men and women of Buffalo,
a collection formed by the late John Blocher; the estate of the late
Dr. Roswell Park; Mr. Edward Menge, a collection of early Buffalo
views, formed by the late Victor Tiphaine, and other relics; Col.
Chas. 0. Shepard, numerous documents and souvenirs of his consular
service abroad; Chas. A. Orr, Grand Army portraits and souvenirs;
Mrs. Robt. D. Young and Mr. George Abbott, Hamburg, miscellaneous
and Civil War relics. Mr. D. M. Silver has added to his Indian
collection a fine stone mortar; and many others have given sundry
welcome articles, all properly recorded/ and preserved.
For the better display of some of our collections, new cases
are needed. The question of room will soon seriously confront us;
not only in the museum, but in the library.
Library. During the year there were added to the catalogued
collection 722 books, including bound pamphlets. Most of the acces-
sions were gifts. The most important purchases were from the
Marshall library, sold at auction in New York in March. Aside
from this, the buying for the year has been confined to publications
in various periods and phases of our local and regional history and
to Buffalo imprints, with a few genealogies and New England
histories, and a continuation of historical periodicals of which we
preserve files.
The secretary has been at some pains to secure whenever oppor-
tunity has offered, Buffalo-printed books and pamphlets, deeming
them an essential part of such a library as this. We are gathering
material which will enable him to continue the bibliography of
early Buffalo imprints which he published in 1903, bringing it, if
not to date, at least to the close of the 19th century.
During the year past he has completed a bibliography of Buffalo
periodicals, from 1811 to date. The form of publication is now
under advisement. It may prove best to make a separate volume
of it, in which form it would have a value, as regards the history
of Buffalo journalism, comparable to the very popular “Picture
Book of Earlier Buffalo,” issued by this Society in 1912.
Publications. Early in the year volume XVII of the Society’s
Publications was issued. Volume XVIII, now nearly ready for the362
PROCEEDINGS OF TEE
binder, will be ready for distribution in a few weeks. It contains
among other things a group of papers on peace episodes in the Niagara
region. Some 75 pages are devoted to a narrative of the mediation
conference in behalf of Mexico, held in May and June at Niagara
Falls, Ont. Other features will include:	Unpublished documents
of the War of 1812; and an exceedingly rare pamphlet relating to
the Holland Land Co., printed in French at Basle in 1803, now for
the first time published in English.
The secretary hopes to complete, within the next few months,
the narrative history of the Lower Lakes and Niagara region under
the French, which he has long had in preparation. The character of
the work makes it highly desirable, in his judgment, to have it
issued, if arrangements can be made, by some publishing house
which has facilities for placing it on the market. Heretofore the
Society has had its books printed at local offices, and has been its
own publisher; all things considered, with fair success. But to give
the work in question a publicity and currency in keeping with its
character, recourse should be had to the equipment, experience and
facilities of a well-established and widely-known publisher. To meet
a somewhat similar situation, the Chicago Historical Society has
ceased being its own publisher, its books being now issued by the
University Press of Chicago. Buffalo has no publishing house
equipped for such work; and the suggestion is here made that the
time has come to seek a broader field for our Publications, through
a metropolitan publisher, if advantageous arrangements can be
made.
Donors of books were:	Rev. Geo. N. Newman, Mrs. Robt. D.
Young, Mr. M. A. G. Meads, Jewett Halbert, Miss Grace Man-
chester, Mrs. E. B. Alvord, Wm. A. Galpin, Wm. G. Justice, Lucius
F. Pratt, Hon. Henry W. Hill, Henry R. Howland, E. B. Pratt,
Carlton R. Perrine, W. Sheldon Bull, Gen. Edgar B. Jewett, P. F.
Piper, Frederick C. Wood, D. M. Silver, Miss Mary E. Walker, Mr.
Julian Park, Buffalo; Mr. Abraham Wakeman, New York City;
Prof. Mary A. Willcox, Wellesley, Mass.; Wm. Steward, Bridgton,
N. J.; Hudson Maxim, Landing, N. J.; Lucian Lamar Knight,
Atlanta, Ga.
Much valuable material has been secured by exchange, not only
from other institutions which send their publications, but especially,
by exchange of duplicates, from the Bureau of Railway Economics,
Washington; the American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass.;
and the Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, O.
The final disposition of the Marshall library, occurred in March.
The story of these books properly belongs to the records of thisHISTORICAL SOCIETY OF BUFFALO
3G3»
Society. The gradual gathering of his library by Orsamus H.
Marshall, was one of the pleasures of his life and continued through
many years. He was not, however, a collector, as many men of
wealth are, seeking only the choicest possible examples of rare
books. He was a student and gathered material likely to help him
in his studies. Thus it happened that the library left at his death
to his son Charles D. Marshall, although containing more than 10,000
volumes, was not in any department of literature notable for its
choice copies of rare books.
In 1909, some months after the sudden death of Charles D.
Marshall, most of the books were sold at auction in the Marshall
homestead on Main street. Prior to the sale, by permission of the
executor and of Mrs. Koerner, heir to the property, the Grosvenor
Library and the Historical Society were authorized to take from the
collection quantities of books suitable to their needs. For the His-
torical Society, the secretary selected about 1,100 items, books and
maps. These were transferred to the Historical Building and
marked with a special label designating their source. The Society
was assured at the time, that Mr. Charles D. Marshall's intention,
often stated to his friends, of giving the books to theA Historical
Society, would ultimately be carried out by his heir. The collection,
therefore, as briefly stated on the book label, was received and!
regarded as a memorial to Orsamus H. and Charles D. Marshall. The-
attorney for the estate informed us that an outright gift at that
time could not be made. The books, however, were carefully guarded
from the date of their receipt in the summer of 1909.
In the autumn of 1913, without any previous indication of a
change of mind, the owner suddenly demanded the delivery of the
books to a New York auction house. Those who felt they had
influence in the matter undertook to change this decision, but without
effect. On October 30, 1913, the books were boxed and shipped to
New York and on March 16, 17, and 18, 1914, were sold at public
auction.
The Historical Society authorized its secretary to attend and
procure such items as in his judgment it was advisable to buy.
The sale presented several curious features. The fluent auction-
eer, speaking, evidently, with none too thorough a knowledge, referred
to the collection as “exceptionally choice7’ and as having been the
property of the “former law partner of Millard Fillmore1 9! The
catalogue, although it called attention to the imperfections of many
of the items, was by no means exhaustive in this respect. Most of the
bidders, however, at the sales were astute and well-informed dealers..364
PROCEEDINGS OF TEE
They had, moreover, personally examined the more interesting of the
items, so that when the sale began there was little misapprehension
of the very defective character of many items which, had they been
perfect, would have been eagerly sought for by institutions or other
collectors.
Included among the Marshall books were 83 lots from another
source. These were, for the most part, superior in quality and
brought excellent prices. It is a theory of the auction room, that
sometimes a little leaven raises the whole lump; in other words, that
common-place books may be boosted to a better sale if scattered
among them are numerous choice items. However true the theory, it
was not conspicuously successful in this sale. In the phrase of the
stock market, the selling was “freakish,” so that while the Hennepins
and the Jesuit Eelations sold at low prices, one item, Le Clercq’s
“Premier Etablissement de la Foy” brought the record price of $850.
The Marshall copy of this rare work, although perfect as to
text, lacked the 12 pages of publications which originally appeared
at the end of the work. For the fastidious collector, of unlimited!
purse, this was a great detraction from its value. What it would
have brought had it included the missing leaves, one can only con-
jecture; but one of America’s greatest dealers stated that in his
judgment it would have realized at least fifteen hundred dollars.
Your secretary had cherished hopes of securing it and shared'
in the bidding until it passed the hundred-dollar mark; remembering
then that he was drawing on funds not exactly unlimited and that
he was supposed to be acting within his judgment, he checked his
mad career and saw the rarity disappear in the wild flight, followed
by joyous dealers.
Bearing in mind the desirability of securing for our library
items which should prove of use to those who visit the institution,
as well as being in a small way a memorial of the Messrs. Marshall,
your secretary’s purchases were chiefly confined to books and maps
which he knew would practically supplement material already in the
library. A few interesting manuscripts were also secured. The most
valuable item which he bought was a collection of 35 rare maps,
gathered by the elder Marshall in his visits to Paris and elsewhere
during many years. The collection was secured on the secretary’s bid
of $85. One other useful collection of early maps was also bid in at
a very modest figure.
ENTEETAINMENTS OF 1914.
Numerous clubs, and classes from the public and parochial
schools were welcomed at the Building during the year. Free lee-HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF BUFFALO
365
tures will be provided, in connection with the work of the schools,
at any time when suitable arrangements can be made.
The course of evening entertainments arranged for our members
proved exceptionally interesting. Within the calendar year just
closed the following were given:
Jan. 20. Illustrated	lecture:—“Our	National	Parks,’’
Mr. Nat M. Brigham
Peb. 12. Illustrated lecture:—“Everywhere with Lincoln,’’
Bev. Henry B. Bose
Peb. 19. Illustrated lecture:—‘ ‘ A Dante Pilgrimage in Italy,’’
Mrs. George H. Camehl
March 2. Illustrated lecture:—“Athens and the Bevival of
Hellenism in Greece”...........Dr. Jerome Hall Baymond
March 24. Illustrated lecture:—“Switzerland, the Triumph of
Democracy”.....................Dr. Jerome Hall Baymond
April 7. Historical address:—“The Niagara Begion and the
Peace Centenary”......................Prank H. Severance
Oct. 20. Illustrated lecture:—“For King, Country and
Empire”..................................Mr. Prank Yeigh
Nov. 10. Dickens recital, humorous and dramatic..........
Mr. E. S. Williamson
Nov. 24. Illustrated travel talk:—“An American Woman in
Iceland”.......................Mrs. Jerome Hall Baymond
Dec. 17. Illustrated historical lecture:—“Napoleon”....
Mr. B. B. Baumgardt
In June, as usual for some years past, the annual commencement
exercises of Public School No. 21 were held at the Historical Building.
Various Activities. Our miscellaneous activities, including lec-
tures for the schools and various clubs, and participation in the work
of state and national organizations, have continued, as in recent years.
We were represented at the annual meetings of the New York State
Historical Association, the Ontario Historical Society, the Amer-
ican Association of Museums and the American Historical Associa-
tion. Several members of the society represented it at the Lundy’s
Lane Centenary celebration, July 25th; and three of them, the Hon.
Peter A. Porter, Mr. Geo. D. Emerson, and the Secretary, shared in
the programme of exercises.
Among the historical institutions of the country, the Buffalo His-
torical Society holds today a creditable place. Outside of Buffalo,
in the colleges, libraries and historical societies, we are best known
by our series of Publications, of which 13 carefully-edited volumes
have been sent forth since 1902, when the present secretary took
up the work. If the society values a reputation in this line of366
PROCEEDINGS OF TEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
achievement, we cannot do better than to continue it, with such
raising of the standard as we are able to accomplish. The oppor-
tunity for continued research, within the geographic field which is
properly ours, is so vast as to be practically boundless. No worker
now living can exhaust it. In one sense, we are rarely fortunate in
having at hand, recognized and awaiting our study, so rich and
unexploited a field.
While this phase of our work is by no means unrecognized in
Buffalo, it is natural that in our home city we should also be widely
known by the free historical library we are building up, by the
museum and lectures which contribute to the pleasure—we trust also,
the edification—of members and the public at large.
If we are to progress in these activities, the time is not far
'distant when we must face the problem of enlarging the building.
The library is now crowded, and better facilities are desired for
those who use it, among them not a few special students who come
to us from other cities and colleges. The museum cannot for long
be worthily added to without more room; and the lecture room is
■often inadequate for the attendance.
The removal of these drawbacks, the agreement with the city
for space in which to extend the two ends of our building, east
and west, and the provision of a fund with whieh to build larger, in
keeping with its present classic and dignified lines, are matters
respectfully suggested for the consideration of the officers and the
membership of the Buffalo Historical Society.
Messrs. Andrew Langdon, L. L. Lewis, Jr., Frank M. Hollister,
Frank H. Severance and George A. Stringer, were reelected members
of the Board of Managers for the ensuing term of four years.
President Hill spoke at some length on the great desirability
of erecting in Buffalo a suitable memorial to Governor DeWitt
Clinton; and expressed the wish that the Historical Society might
be identified with such an undertaking.
On motion of Mr. Stringer, seconded by Mr. Hollister, it was
voted that the president, at his convenience, name a suitable com-
mittee, of which Mr. Hill shall be chairman, to give further con-
sideration to the matter. The meeting then adjourned.
ANNUAL ELECTION.
At the annual meeting of the Board of Managers, January 14,
1915, the officers of the past year were reelected, as follows:
President, Hon. Henry W. Hill; vice-president, Charles R. Wilson;
secretary and treasurer, Frank H. Severance.THE
BUFFALO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PUBLICATIONS
In 1879, after an existence of seventeen years, the Buffalo His-
torical Society issued its first volume of Publications. Its available
material consisted of historical papers which had been read at So-
ciety meetings, and of letters and other documents gathered in its
archives. A publication committee, consisting of Orsamus H. Mar-
shall, E. S. Hawley and the Rev. A. T. Chester, ID. £>., in conjunc-
tion with Messrs. Bigelow Brothers, publishers, issued a prospectus
inviting subscriptions, and were encouraged by the response to un-
dertake the work, which was issued in parts, at twenty-five cents a
number. Completed, Volume I gave such satisfaction that in 1880
Volume II was issued in like manner. Both volumes were edited by
the Rev. Albert Bigelow, Corresponding Secretary of the Society.
The work in all respects was admirably done. The two volumes,
containing upwards of eight hundred pages, soon became scarce,
have long been out of print and now command a high price when-
ever by chance copies are offered for sale. They are not esteemed
too highly, for they contain records of early Buffalo, Erie Canal
papers, memoirs of pioneers and reminiscences of various early
phases of life on the Niagara frontier, of real importance to the
student but nowhere else preserved.
Nothing more was attempted by way of publication until 1885,
when the reburial by the Society of the remains of Red Jacket and
mother prominent men of the Seneca Nation seemed to call for some
printed record beside newspaper reports. Volume III was accord-
ingly prepared, chiefly, it is understood, by Mr. George G. Barnum,
then librarian for the Society. It was designated as “Transactions,
volume three,’’ but as the preceding volumes were marked “Publi-
cations,” and as no separate series of “Transactions” has been un-
dertaken, this book is regarded as volume three of the Publications
series.
In 1896, at the request of the Society, the present editor (not
then actively connected with the institution), prepared Volume IV.
It was not, however, until 1902 that the regular issuance of volumes
was undertaken. Since that date fifteen volumes have been pub-
lished, the present volume being number nineteen of the series.
U7368
HISTOBICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS
Volumes I and II—long out of print—deal chiefly with the early
history of Buffalo and the Great Lakes, early transportation and the
War of 1812. Volume III relates wholly to the Seneca Indians,,
especially Bed Jacket. Volumes IV to IX contain scores of papers
on various phases of Western New York history. Volumes X and
XI contain a Life of Millard Fillmore, with his speeches and cor-
respondence. Volume XII is a “History of Waterways and Canal
Construction in New York State,’9 by Henry Wayland Hill, LL.D.,
president of the Historical Society. Volumes XIII and XIV relate
to canal enlargement, the Holland Land Company, journals of early
travel, etc. Volume XV, “Studies of the Niagara Frontier,” by
Frank H. Severance, secretary of the Society, presents the literary,
artistic and scientific aspect of the Niagara Falls region. Volume
XVI, “The Picture Book of Earlier Buffalo,” by the same author,
contains over 400 engravings, with descriptive text. Vol. XVII
is especially valuable for its hitherto unpublished documents of the
War of 1812. It also contains a full account of the semi-centennial
of the Buffalo Historical Society. Vol. XVIII, entitled “Peace
Episodes on the Niagara, ’ ’ contains a history of the peace conference
in behalf of Mexico, held at Niagara Falls, Ont., in 1914; the story
of other peace episodes; contributions to the history of the War of
1812, etc.
Following is a more detailed account of the several volumes and
a list of the principal contents of each:
VOL. I. 1879.
8vo. pp. 436. Illustrations and maps. But very few copies procurable for sale.
For many years a scarce and much sought for volume.
Price on application.
Index—Prospectus—Officers—Preface.
Inaugural Address, 1862	..............................Millard Fillmore
Origin of the Name of Buffalo...........................William Ketchum
Correspondence on the Name of Buffalo.............................
Rev. Asher Wright, N. T. Strong
The Last of the Kah-Kwahs (Poem)..............................David Gray
Buffalo Cemeteries......................................William Hodge
Ode, at Forest Lawn Dedication.................Rev. John 0. Lord, D. D.
The Braves’ Rest.....................................William C. Bryant
The Old Black Rock Ferry................................Charles D. Norton
Addenda relating to the Name of Black Rock........................
Hon. Geo. R. Babcock, Col. Wm. A. Bird
Annual Address, 1867: Preachers, Pedagogues and Poets of Buffalo
in 1825	...............................Rev. John C. Lord, D. D.
Origin and Progress of the Society...................... . Oliver G. Steele
Buffalo in 1825 (reprint of pamphlet) ............................S. BallHISTORICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS
369
Letter Relating to “Buffalo in 1825” .	.	.
Reminiscences of Buffalo and Vicinity .	.
Execution of the Three Thayers .	.	.	.
Buffalo During the War of 1812	.	.	.	.
A Wreck and Stockade......................E.
Norris's Journal of Sullivan's expedition .
Building and Voyage of the Griffin .	.	.
A History of the Israelites in Buffalo...
Pounding of the City of Ararat..............
Orlando Allen ............................
Addenda, supplementing the above.
Oliver Forward, Life and Public Services .
The Grain Elevators of Buffalo ....
The Buffalo Common Schools................
The First School House in Buffalo .	.	.
.	.	.	. Hon. Gideon J. Balt
............James L. Barton
.	.	.	.	. Nathaniel Wilgus
.	. Hon. William Dorsheimer
H. Stewart and 0. H. Marshall
.	.	.	.	. from original MS
...............0. H. Marshall
...............Rev. S. Falk
.	.	.	.	Hon. Lewis F. Allen
. . . . William C. Bryant
.	.	.	.	Hon. James Sheldon
.	..............Joseph Dart
............Oliver G. Steele
............Crisfleld Johnson
VOL. II. 1880.
8vo. pp. 429. Frontispiece. As scarce and desirable as Vol. I. Price on ap-
plication.
Index—Officers of the Society—Preface.
Physiognomy of Buffalo...........................Rev. G. W. Hosmer, D. D.
Early Transportation, New York State.......................Col. Wm. A. Bird
Extracts from the Vanderkemp Papers, with notes.
The Germans of Buffalo.....................................Ismar S. Ellison
Oliver G. Steele, a Memorial Paper...............Rev. G. W. Hosmer, D. D.
The Inland Lock Navigation Company:
First Report of the Directors..................Philip Schuyler, President
First Report of the Engineer...................... William Wes'ton
Joseph Ellicott................................... Ellicott Evans, D. D.
The Press of Erie County, Its Early History................Guy H. Salisbury
Red Jacket and His Portrait .	.........................Oliver G. Steele
Erie Canal Papers................................M. S. Hawley, George Geddes
The Battle of Grand Island.,...............................Nathaniel Wilgus
Fifty Years Ago........................................ . Hon. James Sheldon
Millard Fillmore:	His Early History.....................written by himself
Death of Job Hoisington (Poem).............................Elder A. Turner
The Niagara Frontier.......................................0. H. Marshall
VOL. III. 1885.
8vo. pp. 119. Frontispiece and cut. Issued as “Transactions” but forming:
Vol. Ill of the Publications Series. Price, postpaid, $1.00.
Red Jacket. Obsequies at Forest Lawn; address by ...	. Wm. C. Bryant
Commemorative Exercises, Music Hall:	Oration .	. Hon. Geo. W. Clinton
Addresses.....................Hon. James Sheldont Gen. Ely S. Parker
List of Indian Delegates.
Red Jacket's Bones
Letter from Ex-Gov. Horatio Seymour370
HISTORICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS
Diagram, Indian Burial Lot at Forest Lawn.
“Hodenosaunee,” “Sagoyewatha's Rest”—Reports of the re-interment.
List of Subscribers—Officers of the Society.
Action of the Grand Council of the Six Nations of Canada on the Return
of Their Delegation.
How the Great Chief's Remains Were Lost and Recovered.
Ruth Stephenson, Favorite Step-Child of Red Jacket.
Death of the Great Orator.
Red Jacket's Disappointed Ambition.
“Sagoyewatha,” etymology of the word.
Sachems, Assistant Councilors and Head Men of the Iroquois.
“Otetiani," its etymology.
Garangula, the Great Onondaga Orator.
Sketches of the Five Chiefs Reintombed with Red Jacket.
The Mohawk Centennial at Tyendinega, Bay of Quinte, Sept. 4, ’84.
The Mohawk Centennial, Grand River Reserve, Ont., Oct. 24, ’84.
Origin of the Names or Titles of the Fifty Original League Sachemships.
Anecdote of Red Jacket:	His Family in 1794.
An Interview with the Delawares ; derivation of the word Manhattan.
Poems Suggested by the Reburial of the Chiefs at Forest Lawn.
Personal Names Among the Iroquois; Onas, or Wm. Penn.
Index.
VOL. IV. 1896.
8vo. pp, 448. Three illustrations. Price, postpaid, $3.00.
Officers of the Society—Preface.
Reminiscences of the Boundary Survey between the United States
and British Provinces.................................William A. Bird
Captain Brant and the Old King.........................Wm. Clement Bryant
Adventures and Enterprises of Elijah D. Efner—An Autobiographical
Memoir.
Buffalo's First Mayor, Dr. Ebenezer Johnson..................F. M. Inglehart
Samuel Wilkeson.................................Rev. John C. Lord, D. D.
“The Harbor-Maker of Buffalo." Reminiscences	of	Judge	Samuel
Wilkeson, by Samuel A. Bigelow, recorded by	.	.	. Rev.	Albert	Bigelow
The Early Firm of Juba Storrs & Company....................Rev.	Albert	Bigelow
The Journeys and Journals of an Early Buffalo Merchant ....
Frank H. Severance
The Free Soil Convention of 1848, in Buffalo.................John Hubbell
Development of Constitutional Law' in New York State, and the
Constitutional Convention of 1894 ..................Hon.	Henry	W. Hill
George W. Clinton..........................................Hon.	David	F. Day
K Forgotten People:	The Flint Workers .	.	. Very Rev. Wm. R. Harris
The Cholera in Buffalo in 1832	...................Hon. Lewis F. Allen
Roswell Willson Haskins......................................L. G. Sellstedt
Nathan Kelsey Hall............................... Hon. James O. Putnam
The Postal Service of the United States, in connection with the local
history of Buffalo .... Hon. Nathan K. Hall and Thomas Blossom
The Speculative Craze of 1836 ............................Guy H. Salisbury
Notes on the Authors of Buffalo........................Frank H. Severance
Appendix—Documents and Miscellany—Index.HISTORICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS	371
VOL. V. 1902.
8vo. pp. 542. Nine illustrations. Price, postpaid, $3.00.
.Officers of the Society—Preface.
The Achievements of Capt. John Montressor on the Niagara . .	.
Frank II. Severance
Papers Relating to the War of 1812 on the Niagara Frontier:
I. The First Shot. Reminiscences of.................Archer Galloway
II. Militia Service of 1813-14. Correspondence of Maj.-Gen. Amos Hall
III.	Two Dramatic Incidents............Gen. Asa Warren
IV.	A Hero of Fort Erie. Correspondence of Lieut. Patrick McDonogh
V. The Sortie from Fort Erie.........................William A. Bird
VI. A War-Time Letter Book.	Correspondence	of	.	.	. Jonas Harrison
A Niagara Falls Tourist of 1817.	The Journal of	.	Capt.	Richard Langslow
Historical Writings of Judge Samuel Wilkeson:
Preface. Biographical Sketch....................Samuel Wilkeson, Jr.
Recollections of the West and the Building of the Buffalo
Harbor......................................Judge Samuel Wilkeson
Early Trade Routes:	Adventures	and Recollections	of	a Pioneer
Trader......................................Capt. James Sloan
Buffalo Harbor: Its Construction and Improvement during the
XIXth Century...............................................
Maj. Thomas W. Symons, C. E., U. S. A., and John C. Quintus, M. E.
Early Days of the Lakes and the Cholera Visitation of 1832	.	.	.
Capt. Augustus Walker
The Wreck of the Walk-in-the-Water .... Mary A. Witherell Palmer
How Niagara was made free ; the passage of the Niagara Reserva-
tion Act in 1885	...........................Hon. Thomas V. Welch
Historical Sketch of the Buffalo Library...................J. N. Lamed
The Buffalo Free PItblic Library Movement in the Year 1897	.	.	.
Henry L. Elmendorf
The new Home of the Buffalo Historical Society in Delaware
Park :
Notes on the Earlier Years............................Frank H. Severance
A Record of Legislation...............................Hon. Henry W. Hill
The Building Described,, by its architect....................George Cary
Appendix:
Julius E. Francis and the Lincoln Birthday Association.
The Niagara Frontier Landmarks Association.
Bibliography of the Upper Canada Rebellion.
Buffalo Historical Society Publications—Index.
VOL. VI. 1903.
8vo. pp. 684. Ten illustrations. Price, postpaid, $4.00.
'Officers of the Society—Preface.
An , Inscription............................................Moses Shongo
From Lake Erie to Morocco ..................................George V. Brown372
HISTORICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS
Historical Papers by Henry R. Howland:
I.	Navy Island, and the First Successors to the Griffon.
II.	The Niagara Portage and its First Attempted Settlement under
British Rule.
III.	A British Privateer in the American Revolution.
IV.	Robert Hamilton, the Founder of Queenston.
V.	The Old Caneadea Council House and its last Council Fire.
VI.	The Seneca Mission at Buffalo Creek.
Narratives of Early Mission Work on the Niagara Frontier and Buffalo
Creek:
I. The Quakers among the Senecas..................Frank H. Severance
II.	Jacob Lindley's Journal, 1797.
III.	Rev. David Bacon's Visits to Buffalo, in 1800 and 1801.
IV.	Letters of Rev. Elkanah Holmes from Fort Niagara in 1800.
V.	Visit of Rev. Lemuel Covell to Western New York and Canada,
1803.
VI. Visit of Gerard T. Hopkins, 1804.
VII.	Visit of Rev. Joseph Avery, 1805.
VIII.	Visit of Rev. Roswell Burrows, 1806.
IX.	A Teacher among the Senecas: Narrative of Rev. Jabez Backus
Hyde, 1811-1820.
X.	Narrative of Esther Rutgers Low, 1819-1820.
XI.	Journals of Rev. Thompson S. Harris, Missionary to the Senecas,
1821-1828.
XII.	Register of the Seneca Mission Church, 1823-1848.
The Life of Horatio Jones .	.	. George H. Harris and Frank H. Severance
Sarah Whitmore's Captivity...............................Mrs. S..E. Guwn
Ancestry and Descendants of Horatio Jones.
The Story of Jasper Parrish............................From his own notes,
compiled by his son, Stephen Parrish, and others
Personal Recollections of Captain Jones and Parrish . Hon. Orlando Allen
Appendices :
Bibliography, Buffalo Imprints before 1850.
Buffalo Historical Society Proceedings—
Dedication of Building.
Annual Meeting, 1903.
George S. Hazard Memorial.
Wilson S. Bissell Memorial.
List of Members, Buffalo Historical Society—Index.
VOL. VII. 1904.
8vo. pp. 548. Sixteen illustrations. Price, postpaid, $4.00.
Officers of the Society—List of Presidents of the Society—Preface.
A Bundle of Thomas Jefferson’s Letters .	. Edited by Frank H. Severance
Journals of Henry A. S. Dearborn:
Introduction.
First Visit to the Senecas and Tuscaroras.
Second Visit to the Senecas, in 1838.
Tour to Cattaraugus, in 1839.HISTORICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS
373
Narratives and Journals of Pioneer Surveyors.
Life of Augustus Porter.........................Charles Mulford Robinson
Early Life of Augustus Porter................Written by himself in 1848
Letters of Augustus Porter.
Life and Adventures of Judah Colt.................Written by himself
Notes by Joseph Landon.
Survey of the South Shore of Lake Erie., 1789.
The Life and Adventures of Matthew Bunn.
The Story of David Ramsay.
Appendix A:
Proceedings of the Buffalo Historical Society:
Forty-second Annual Meeting—President's Address—Election of Of-
ficers—Secretary's Report.
Life and Services of John Jay.....................George A. Stringer
The Statue of David.
The Mary Norton Thompson Tablet.
Obituary Notes.
Appendix B:
Bibliographical Data:
A Book that Grew: Editions of “Life of Mary Jemison.”
Sale of the Seneca Lands: a Reference List.
Note on Matthew Bunn's “Narrative.”
Appendix C:
Buffalo Historical Society Membership—Buffalo Historical Society
Publications—Index.
VOL. VIII. 1905.
8vo. pp. 588. Colored frontispiece and fifteen other illustrations.
Price, postpaid, $4.50.
Officers of the Society—List of Presidents of the Society—Preface.
Relation of the United States to the Canadian Rebellion of 1837-
1838 ......................................Orrin Edward Tiffany
Illustrative Documents bearing on the Canadian Rebellion.
History of the Abolition of Railroad Grade Crossings in the City of
Buffalo................. .	.	.	.	.	.	. Robert Borthwick Adam
The Dobbins Papers:
Introductory—Career of Capt. Daniel Dobbins .	. Frank H. Severance
Narrative, by................Captains Daniel and William W. Dobbins
Life of Stephen Champlin.........................Hon. George W. Clinton
What became of Perry's Fleet .	....................Frank H. Severance
Episode of the Adams and Caledonia....................George D. Emerson
Exploits of John Dickson ........... Mrs. James Hoskinson
Journal of Samuel Blakeslee.
Social Life of Buffalo in the 30’s and 40’s...........Martha Fitch Poole
Appendix A:
Proceedings of the Buffalo Historical Society:
Forty-third Annual Meeting—President's Address—Election of Of-
ficers—Secretary's Report.374
HISTORICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS
Unveiling op the Painting, “The Sailing op the Griffon.’"—Address, Hon„
Peter A. Porter.
Marking the Grave op Do-ne-ho-geh-weh.
Writings op Gen. Ely S. Parker.
Appendix B:
Hunter Lodges in 1837*’3S.
Appendix C:
Buffalo Historical Society Membership—Buffalo Historical Society
Publications—Index.
VOL. IX. 1906.
8vo. pp. 647. Frontispiece and sixteen other illustrations, maps, etc.
Price, postpaid, $4.00.
Officers of the Society—List of Presidents of the Society—Preface.
The Johnson’s Island Plot..............................Frederick J. Shepard
Millard Fillmore and His Part in the Opening of Japan................
Wm. Elliot Griffis, D. D., L. II. D.
The Story of Joncaire..................................Frank II. Severance
The Tale of Captives at Fort Niagara...................Frank H. Severance
Papers relating to the Burning of Buffalo and to the Niagara Fron-
tier PRIOR TO AND DURING THE WAR OF 1812 :
The Burning of Buffalo............................Mrs. Jonathan Sidway
Story of the St. John House...............Mrs. Martha SV. John Skinner
A Buffalo Boy of 1813...................................William Hodge
In the Midst of Alarms ...........................Mrs. Benjamin Bidwell
British General Orders, relating to the Burning of Buffalo.
A Pioneer Patriot.......................................Daniel Brayman
A Guardsman of Buffalo............................Hezekiah A. Salisbury
The Affair of June 4, 1813................................James Aigin
A Rifleman of Qiteenston................................Jared Willson
Recollections of a Pioneer Printer......................Eber D. Howe
“The Charles Lamb of Buffalo”—Memoir of Guy H. Salisbury . David Gray
Memoir of Louis Stephen Le Couteulx de Caumont.......................
Miss Martha J. F. Murray
Letters of Le Couteulx which caused his capture.
Letters of Le Couteulx to Jos. Ellicott and others.
Letters of Paul Busti to Joseph Ellicott.
Proceedings of the Buffalo Historical Society. Forty-fourth Annual
Meeting—Addresses, Election, Reports, etc.
Index.
VOLS. X AND XI.
THE MILLARD FILLMORE PAPERS.
8vo. Vol. X, pp. 482, six illustrations. Vol. XI, pp. 682, eleven illustrations.
The two volumes, $7.00.
Volume Ten:
Officers of the Society—List of Presidents, etc.
Introduction to Fillmore Papers,
Frank H. Severance1HISTORICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS
375
Millard Fillmore Chronology.
Millard Fillmore’s Autobiography of Earlier Years.
Fillmore Genealogical Data.
John Fillmore’s “Narrative.”
Millard Fillmore in the New York Legislature.
Millard Fillmore’s Pamphlet on Religious Tests for Witnesses.
Millard Fillmore’s Speeches and Debates as Representative in Congress.
Millard Fillmore's Papers and Letters as Comptroller of New York State.
Millard Fillmore’s Addresses, Tour Abroad, etc.
Volume Eleven:
Millard Fillmore’s Speeches in 1856 as Candidate for President.
Various Addresses and Papers by Mr. Fillmore, 1841 to 1873.
Mr. Fillmore's Correspondence prior to the Civil War.
The Buffalo Committee of Public Defense, 1862.
Mr. Fillmore’s Correspondence, 1861 to 1874.
Millard Fillmore’s Will.
Fillmore Bibliography.
Proceedings of the Buffalo Historical Society relative to Mr. Fillmore.
Proceedings, Forty-fifth Annual Meeting—Reports—List of Members—List
of Publications—Index to Vols. X and XI.
VOL. XII.
AN HISTORICAL REVIEW OF WATERWAYS AND CANAL CONSTRUCTION IN
NEW YORK STATE.
BY HENRY WAYLAND HILL, LL.D.
8vo. pp. 563. Author’s portrait, and map. In paper, $4.00; in cloth, $5.00.
Officers of the Society—Presidents of the Society.
Historical Review of Waterways and Canal Construction in New York
State,.................................Henry Wayland Hill3 LL.D.
Speeches on Canal Topics.....................Henry Wayland Hill, LL.D.
Index.
VOL. XIII.
CANAL ENLARGEMENT IN NEW YORK STATE. PAPERS ON THE BARGE
CANAL CAMPAIGN AND RELATED TOPICS.
8vo. pp. 463, fifteen illustrations. In paper, $4.00; in cloth, $5.00.
Papers relating to Canal Enlargement:
The Canal Improvement Union........................Frank S. Gardner
The State Commerce Conventions of 1899, 1900 and 1901.
New York City’s Part in the Reconstruction of the State’s Water-
ways, .............................................Gustav H. Schivab
Action of the New York Produce Exchange Relative to Railroad
Differentials and Canal Enlargement, .	.	.	.	. Henry B. Hebert
The Inception of the Barge Canal Project, . Gen. Francis Vinton Greene
The United States Government and the New York State Canals, .
Col. Thomas W. Symons376
HISTORICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS
The Function of New York's Barge Canals in Controlling Freight
Rates ..................................... . Hon. John D. Kernan
New York State Canals, 1895 to 1903,..............George H. Raymond
Reminiscences of the Barge Canal Campaign, .... Howard J. Smith
The New York State Press in the Campaign for Enlargement of
Canals,....................................... Merton M. WUner
Second Report of the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company, 1798.
The Canal Memorial of 1816.
Historical Sketch of the Board of Trade, the Merchant’s Exchange
and the Chamber of Commerce of Buffalo, .	. Frank H. Severance
Reminiscences of Erie Canal Surveys in 1816-1817,	.	. William C. Young
Secret History of the Incipient Legislation for the Erie Canal, .	.
F. C. White
Canvass White’s Services,..................................Charles B. Stuart
The White Memorial Tablet.
An Appreciation of the Work of Elmore II. Walker, . George Alfred Stringer
Recollections of the Early Forwarding Trade, .	.	.	. Hon. Lewis F. Allen
Notes on the Canal Forwarding Trade,.......................L. Porter Smith
Mementos of the Opening of the Canal:
Black Rock Invited to Buffalo.
A Celebration Contract.
How Buffalo Dug the Canal,............................William Hodge
A Lost Work of Art....................................R. W. Haskins
The Erie Canal Gun-Telegraph,........................ Orlando Allen
Proceedings, Buffalo Historical Society:
“Bronze Work in Art and History”:
Presentation of Antique Candelabra,...................Andrew Langdon
Forty-sixth Annual Meeting.
Reports—Index.
VOL. XIV.
THE HOLLAND LAND COMPANY AND CANAL CONSTRUCTION IN WESTERN
NEW YORK; AND OTHER PAPERS.
8vo. pp. 510, six illustrations, three maps. In paper, $4.00; in cloth, $5.00.
Officers of the Society—Presidents of the Society—Introduction.
The Holland Land Co. and Canal Construction in Western New York.
The Erie Canal and the Settlement of the West, .	. Lois Kimball Mathews
From New York to Niagara—Journal of a Canal Tour in 1829,	.	. .
Col. William Leete Stone
Col. Wm. L. Stone’s Visit to Niagara, 1829.
Journal of a Tour from Albany to Lake Erie, by the Erie Canal, in
1826,......................................Hon. George W. Clinton
Buffalo and Black Rock Harbor Papers, 1816-1825.
Notes on the Service of Israel T. Hatch in behalf of New York Canals,
Frank H. Severance
Proceedings, Buffalo Historical Society:
Forty-seventh Annual Meeting, 1909.
The Fillmore Manuscripts.
Forty-eighth Annual Meeting, 1910.
List of Manuscripts in the Library of the Buffalo Historical Society.
Index.HISTOBICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS
377
VOL XV.
STUDIES OF THE NIAGARA FRONTIER.
BY FRANK H. SEVERANCE, L. H. D.
8vo. pp. 440, maps and diagrams. In cloth, $4.00.
A Familiar Foreword.
Early Literature of the Niagara Region.
Nineteenth Century Visitors at Niagara who Wrote Books.
The Niagara Region in Fiction.
A Dreamer at Niagara:	Chateaubriand in America.
The Niagara in Art.
John Vanderlyn’s Visit to Niagara in 1802.
The Niagara in Science.
Two Early Visitors.
Historical Associations of Buffalo.
From Indian Runner to Telephone.
Some Thanksgiving Contrasts.
On the Niagara Frontier with Harriet Martineau.
History that Isn’t So.
Narratives of Eighteenth Century Visitors to Niagara.
Proceedings, Buffalo Historical Society:
List of Officers—List of Presidents.
Proceedings, Forty-ninth Annual Meeting.
In Memoriam: William Pryor Letchworth.
Index.
VOL. XVI.
THE PICTURE BOOK OF EARLIER BUFFALO.
BY FRANK H. SEVERANCE, L. H. D.
8vo. pp. 528; 425 illustrations, three maps. In cloth, $5.00.
Officers of the Society—Presidents of the Society.
Introduction: As to this Book.
Some Old Harbor Views.
The First Settler.
The Earliest Buffalo.
Early Picture-Making.
A Builder of Buffalo.
The Old-Time Down-Town Churches.
The Changing Town.
Early Black Rock Facts.
Vanished Main Street.
Glimpses of Yesterday.
VOL. XVII.
8vo. pp. 479; 31 illustrations. In cloth, $4.00.
Officers of the Society—Presidents of the Society.
Life and Work of Wm. P. Letchworth,..........................J. N. Lamed
Lars Gustav Sellstedt,...............................Henry Ware Sprague378
HISTOBICAL SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS
Semi-Centennial of the Buffalo Historical Society—
From the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy,..................Willis 0. Chapin
From the Society of Natural Sciences,................Henry B. Howland
From the Canadian Institute,.........................David Reid Keys
Historical Address,................................Hon. Henry W. Hilt
“Millard Fillmore”:	(Address at unveiling of the Fillmore Memorial
Tablet), ........................................Frank M. Hollister
“Grover Cleveland” ; (Address at unveiling of the Cleveland Memorial
Tablet),............................................. John G. Milburn
Early Recollections of Buffalo,........................ Mrs. Julia F. Snow
Some Early Buffalo Characters,............................Frank M. Hollister
Memories of Early Days in Buffalo.......................Sylvester J. Mathews.
The Case of Benjamin Rathbun,....................................By Himself
Documents Relating to the War of 1812:	(The Letter-Book of Gen.
Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe).
Proceedings, Buffalo Historical Society—Memorials—List of Publica-
tions, etc.
Index.
VOL. XVIII.
8vo. pp. 390; 14 illustrations and map. In cloth, $4.00.
Officers of the Society—Presidents of the Society.
Peace Episodes on the Niagara,..........................Frank H. Severance-
The Peace Conference at Niagara Falls in 1914.
The Peace Conference at Niagara Falls in 1864.
Niagara’s Consecration to Peace.
The Niagara Peace Mission of Ephraim Douglass, 1783.
The Centenary of Peace in Relation to the Region of the Niagara and*
the Great Lakes.
The Quaker Mission among the Indians of New York State, . Joseph Elkinton
Notes on the Literature of the War of 1812,.............Frank H. Severance
The Case of Brig. Gen. Alexander Smyth,.................Frank H. Severance
“Le Pour et le Contre,”....................................Rev. Louis Bridel
Translation by H. F. DePuy.
Proceedings, Fifty-second Meeting; Memorials; List of Publications, etc.MEMBERSHIP OF THE
BUFFALO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Active membership in the Buffalo Historical Society may be had in any one
of the following classes:	Patrons, Honorary, Corresponding, Life and Annual.
The class of Patrons was established for those who contribute $2,500 or more
to the society.
Honorary and Corresponding membership is occasionally conferred, by vote
of the Board of Managers, on non-residents, usually for some special favor received
or courtesy extended. These classes are purely complimentary and carry no obliga-
tion whatever. Most of the Corresponding members of the society are officers of
other historical societies in the United States and Canada.
Life membership is had on payment of $100. It entitles the holder (and
family) to all the privileges of the institution, including the Publications, free.
Life membership ceases on the death of the holder, and does not pass to another
member of the family.
Annual membership costs $5.00 a year, and entitles the holder to all the
privileges of the society, and to the Publications for every year for which the
membership fee is paid.
The membership of the Buffalo Historical Society (revised to January, 1916) r
omitting the complimentary classes, was as follows:
PATRONS
Langdon, Andrew
(The Hon. James M. Smith, deceased, was also a Patron.)
LIFE MEMBERS
Albright, J. J.
Alexander, Col. D. S.
Alward, Mrs. Emily B.
Amos, Jacob
Beecher, Edward L.
Beecher, Mrs. James C.
Bennett, Lewis J.
Bleistein, George
Bolin, Hon. Gaius C.
Brady, Gilbert
Cady, F. L. A.
Cary, George
Clarke, Mrs. Sarah H.
Collins, Guy
Cornwall, Wm. C.
Cottier, Mrs. Hugh
Cottier, Miss M. E.
Crawford, William J.
Daniels, Mrs. Charles
Day, Robert W.
Dunbar, George H.
Eastman, Mrs. Frank F.
Eisele, Edward A.
Elias, Abraham J.
Field, Gen. Geo. S.
Forman, George Y.
Franchot, Hon. N. V. V.
Fullerton, Dr. Henry F.
Gavin, Joseph E.
Gerrans, Henry M.
Glenny, Mrs. John C.
Graves, Gen. John C.
Greene, Gen. Francis V.
Greiner, Fred
Hamersley, Hon. Andrew S.
Hawley, Edward S.
Hawley, Miss Mary M.
Hayes, Charles E.
Hayes, Edmund
Hayes, George B.
Hazard, Archibald M.
Heron, Mrs. Wilhelmina
Hill, Hon. Henry W.
Hodge, Charles J.
379380
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP
Holland, Nelson
Hotchkiss, William H.
Howard, George R.
Hughes, John
Hutchinson, E. H.
Jefferson, Thomas M.
Jones, Mrs. Joseph T.
Kellogg, Spencer
Knowlton, Dr. Chas. B.
Koemer, Herman T.
Laney, John I.
Larkin, John D.
Laverack, George E.
Lewis, Mrs. George H.
Locke, Franklin D.
Lockwood, Millington
Manchester, Miss Grace
Mathews, George B.
Messer, L. Franklin
Michael, Isadore
Miller, Charles W.
Mott, Hon. John T.
Newhall, Daniel E.
Newman, John B.
North, Charles J.
Norton, Nathaniel W.
Olmsted, William D.
Orr, Charles A.
Ough, Richard A.
Patton, L. H.
Paul, Peter
Penfold, Mrs. Frank
Peterson, Jesse
Potter, Edward W.
Prentiss, J. I.
Reed, Horace
Rew, Esbon B.
Richmond, Edward S.
Rogers, William A.
Severance, Frank H.
Severance, Mrs. Frank H,
Shepard, Col. Chas. O.
Sidway, Franklin
Silver, D. M.
Spaulding, Samuel S.
Steinway, Chas. H.
Steinway, Fred T.
Stem, Hon. Leopold
Stetson, N.
Strickland, Edward D.
Stringer, George A.
Sweeney, James
Thomas, E. R.
Tillinghast, James W.
Tretbar, Chas. F.
Urban, George Jr.
Yedder, Harrison N.
Walbridge, Harry
Ward, Hamilton
White, Charles H.
Whitney, Elmar H.
Wicks, William S.
Wilber, Frank B.
Williams, George L.
Williams, Gibson T.
Yost, Hon. George E.
Ziegler, Henry
ANNUAL MEMBERS
Abbott, F. W.
Adam, Robert B.
Adams, Orlando
Adler, Elmer
Agthe, Adelbert E.
Alden, Carlos C.
Allen, John F.
Allen, Joseph D.
Allen, Mrs. Louise
Anderson, H. G.
Andrews, W. H.
Andrus, Leroy
Aspinwall, Walter
Auman, Gen. William
Avery, Mrs. Trueman G.
Babcock, Frank A.
Babcock, Louis L.
Bailey, Charles H.
Baker, Mrs. Charles E.
Baker, Howard H.
Baker, John H.
Balliett, H. J.
Barcalo, Edward J.
Bartholomew, A. G.
Bartlett, Eugene M.
Bartlett, Dr. G. Hunter
Bartlett, Lucius E.
Beach, Elias W.
Beach, Howard D.
Beals, Pascal P.
Becker, Alfred L.
Becker, Miss Sophie C.
Behling, Emil H.
Bender, Dr. Ida C.
Benedict, Dr. A. L.
Bennett, Leslie J.
Benson, George W.
Betts, Charles H.
Bidwell, Mrs. Emma Crary
Bigelow, Bayard
Bigelow, Lucius S.
Bingham, George C.
Birge, George K.
Bissell, Hon. Herbert P.
Bliss, Frank H.
Bliss, Harry A.
Board, Robert C.
Boasberg, Isaac
Boechat, David F.
Bonnar, Dr. John D.
Botsford, Samuel B.
Boxall, George H.
Brady, Edward L.
Bray, Rev. James B.
Briggs, Dr. Albert H.
Brock, A. E.
Brodhead, John R.
Brogan, John H.
Brown, E. C.HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP
381
Brown, Mrs. Elizabeth A.
Brown, Walter L.
Budd, T. Augustus
Bull, Henry Adsit
Bunce, Daniel J.
Burt, Henry W.
Burt, Rev. William, D. D.
Bush, John W.
Bush, Mrs. John W.
Bush, Myron P.
Bushnell, Clarence M.
Byers, James N.
Cabana, Oliver, Jr.
Cadwallader, Chas. S.
Callan, Frank H.
Camehl, George H.
Canisius College
Cant, Andrew
Cary, Thomas
Chamberlain, Horace P.
Champlin, H. S.
Champlin, 0. H. P.
Chapin, Willis 0.
Chase, John L.
Clawson, John L.
Clinton, DeWitt
Clinton, Hon. George
Clinton, George, Jr.
Cloak, John G.
Codd, Robert M.
Coit, George
Cole, William H. J.
Collins, C. A.
Comstock, Marc W.
Conant, L. C.
Conover, Roland J.
Cooke, Walter P.
Ooppins, F. T.
Cott, Dr. George F.
Cottle, Edmund P.
Crafts, John W.
Crary, Miss Kate E.
Crofts, George D.
Cronyn, Miss Elizabeth A.
Crosby, William H.
Crouch, H. E.
Curtiss, Harlow C.
Cuthbert, Miss Katherine
Cutter, William B.
Danforth, Frank L.
Danforth, Frederick W.
Dann, Jesse C.
Dark, Samuel J.
Darr, Marcus M.
Davidson, George G., Jr.
Davis, Hon. George A.
DeCeu, Dr. Robert E.
DeGroat, Clinton K.
Deming, Fred C.
Depew, Ganson
Detmers, Arthur
Devereux, Mrs. V. Evans
Devereux, Walter
Dickinson, Rev. Edwin H.
Diehl, Hon. Conrad, M. D.
Dold, Jacob C.
Donaldson, Robert S.
Doorty, William G.
Douglas, William A.
Dresser, Horace W.
Drullard, Frank E.
Dudley, Joseph G.
Dudley, Wesley C.
Dugan, W. J.
Dunham, Walter J.
Elliott, Calvin S.
Ellis, Dr. Charles J.
Ellis, William H.
Ellis, Samuel
Ely, Hon. W. Caryl
Emerson, Edwards D.
Emerson, George D.
Emerson, Hon. Henry P.
Esenwein, August G.
Evans, Miss Ella K.
Famham, George W.
Feigel, Charles L.
Ferguson, Frank C.
Fielder, Charles W.
Fink, John J.
Fish, Elbert L., M. D.
Fisher, Frederick W.
Fosdick, Frank S.
Foster, James F.
Francis, Mrs. Wm. C.
Freshman, Mrs. E. E.
Frey, Dr. George J.
Friedman, Carl K.
Fronczak, Dr. Francis E.
Frost, Mrs. Chas. H.
Fuhrmann, Hon. Louis P.
Galpin, Wm. A.
Gardner, W. Allan
Gaston, Harry C.
Germain, Chas. B.
Getz, Reuben J.
Gibbons, Frank
Gibson, Thomas M.
Glenny, Bryant B.
Glenny, William H.
Goetz, Philip Becker
Goode, Richard W.
Goodyear, A. C.
Grabau, John F.
Gratwick, Frederick C.
Gratwick, W. H.
Green, Edward B.
Green, Hiram T.
Greene, Dr. Dewitt C.
Greene, Gen. Francis V.
Greene, Dr. Walter D.
Grezinger, John C.
Grimm, William E.
Groot, Torben S.
Grosvenor, Miss Abby W.
Grosvenor Library
Grove, Dr. Benj. H.
Grove, Dr. Wm. Y.
Hamilton, S. Marland
Hamlin, Chauncey J.
Hard, Chas. H.
Harding, Frank
Harries, Edward A.
Harris, Elmer E.382
HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP
narrower, George H.
Hart, Hon. Louis B.
Haskins, Miss Eliza S.
Hatch, Mrs. Albert G.
Hauenstein, Mrs. A. G.
Hayd, Dr. H. E.
Hayden, Chas. A.
Hayes, Dr. F. M.
Hayes, Dr. Harold A.
Hazel, Hon. John R.
Heald, Charles M.
Hedstrom, Mrs. Anna M.
Henry, Frank F.
Hobbie, Dr. George S.
Hoddick, Arthur E.
Hodge, Dwight W.
Hodge, William C.
Hotelier, E. D.
Hotelier, Theodore
Hoff, Francis L.
Hollister, Evan
Holmes, Rev. Samuel V. Y.
Holt, Elijah W.
Hopkins, Willard F.
Hornor, Thomas R.
Horton, Mrs. John Miller
Houck, W. C.
Houghton, Frederick
Howard, Albert J.
Howard, Herbert A.
Howe, Dr. Lucien
Howland, Henry R.
Hubbell, B. G.
Hubbell, Clifford
Huntley, C. R.
Hurd, Dr. Arthur W.
Hutter, Albert
Ingram, Miss Isabelle R.
Irwin, Dudley M.
Jackson, Mrs. Cora L.
Jackson, Willis K.
Jewett, Dr. Charles S.
Jewett, Hon. Edgar B.
Jewett, Josiah
Johnson, Mrs. Wm.
Johnston, James N.
Jones, Albert E.
Jones, Bert L.
Jones, Dr. C. Sumner
Joyce, William A.
Justice, William G.
Easting, Wm. F.
Kauffman, Dr. L.
Kempke, Miss Ida L.
Kenefick, Hon. Daniel J.
Kenefick, J. Leroy
Kener, Edward, Jr.
Kennedy, Hugh
Kilhoffer, Wm. G.
Kirkover, H. D.
Knowlton, D. E.
Kopald, Rabbi Louis J.
Kratz, Herbert S.
Krug, Theodore
Laird, Thomas A.
Landon, A. A.
Larkin, John D., Jr.
Lascelles, J. H.
Laub, Albert F.
Lautz, Carl A.
Lay cock, O. S.
Lee, H. Shumway
Lee, Miss Anna O.
Lewis, Dr. Fred D.
Lewis, Hon. Loran L.
Lewis, Loran L., Jr.
Lewis, Dr. Theodore G.
Lincoln, Hon. Chas. Z.
Littell, Hardin H.
Lockwood, Thomas B.
Lombard, Mrs. Frank Murray
McGraw, Frank S.
McGuire, Dr. Edgar R.
McGuire, Peter S.
McMillan, Miss Hester
McNutt, Randolph
McPhail, Edward I.
McWilliams, Shirrell N.
Magner, Edmund L.
Malone, Hon, John F.
Mann, Elbert B.
Mann, John A.
Marcy, William L.
Martin, Darwin D.
Martin, Mrs. Darwin D.
Matthews, Chas. B.
Matzinger, Dr. Herman G.
Meads, M. A. G.
Meadway, George
Meldrum, H. A.
Mellen, Calvert K.
Meredith, Sullivan A.
Meyer, F. A.
Michael, Edward
Milinowski, Mrs. Arthur
Miller, George C.
Miller, Phin M.
Miller, William
Mills, Horace C.
Mitchell, Jas. McC.'
Mitchell, Roscoe R.
Mixer, Frederick K.
Montgomery, H. Ernest
Moot, Adelbert
More, George E.
Morey, Norris
Movius, E. H.
Movius, Mrs.. M. R.
Mueller, John F.
Munro, Josiah G.
Murray, Miss Helena E.
Naylon, Henry M.
Neill, Albert B.
Nellany, Michael
Neunder, Chas. A.
Newman, Rev. George N.
Newman, Samuel
Nichols, Bray ton L.
North, Mrs. Charles J.
Northrup, William P.
Norton, Porter
Nuese, Harry L.
Nye, Sylvanus B.
O’Keefe, Richard C,
Olmsted, George W.
Palmer, John W.EISTOBICAL SOCIETY MEMBEBSEIP
383
Park, Julian
Parke, Fenton M.
Penney, Thomas
Perkins, Thomas G.
Perrine, Carlton R.
Perry, Hubert K.
Phillips, Bradley H.
Pierce, George E.
Plimpton, Mrs. George A.
Plumley, Edmund J.
Pomeroy, Robert W.
Pooley, Hon. Charles A.
Porter, Hon, Peter A.
Pratt, Frederick L.
Putnam, Dr. James W.
Ramsdell, Harry T.
Ramsdell, Thomas T.
Ramsdell, William M.
Rankin, Miss Harriet M.
Ransom, Chas. M.
Raymond, Rev. A. V. V.
Regester, Rev. J. A.
Reidpath, Robert J.
Renner, Dr. W. Scott
Rhodes, Charles E.
Rich, G. Barrett
Richmond, Gerald H.
Ricker, George A.
Riley, Edward B. D.
Rix, William A.
Roberts, Eugene C.
Roberts, Hon. James A.
Robertson, John S.
Robinson, J. W.
Rochester, Dr. DeLancey
Rochester Historical Society
Rochester, Mrs. Nathaniel
Root, Robert K.
Ross, Rev. J. W.
Ross, Dr. R'enwick R.
Rounds, Edward H.
Rumrill, Henry, Jr.
Rumsey, Mrs. Dexter P.
Russell, William C.
Sandrock, W. J.
Savage, Mrs. Arthur S.
Sawyer, George P.
Schoellkopf, Jacob F.
Scovell, J. Boardman
Sears, A. D.
Sears, Charles B.
Sears, Miss Eliza B.
Sears, Woodward W.
Shepard, Frederick J.
Shepard, Walter J.
Sherk, Warren G.
Sherman, Miss Jeannette E.
Sidway, Frank S.
Simpson, Louis W.
Smith, Archibald C.
Smith, Howard J.
Smith, Junius S.
Smith, Dr. Lee H.
Snow, Dr. George B.
Snow, Dr. Irving M.
Spaulding, C. A.
Sprague, Henry Ware
Staples, George K.
Starr, Dr. Elmer G.
Stevens, Edgar B.
Stevens, F. A.
Stevens, Frederick H.
Stevenson, Miss Amelia
Stockton, Dr. Charles G.
Stoddart, Thomas
Straub, Henry
Strootman, John
Tennant, Willis H.
Thomas, Mrs. A. K. R.
Thompson, Augustus A.
Thompson, Mrs. John C.
Thompson, Sheldon
Timerman, Clark H.
Titus, Hon. Robert C.
Townsend, E. Corning
Trible, Walter P.
Tucker, Risley
Turner, George M.
Typographical Union No. 9
Underhill, C. M.
Underhill, Irving S.
Unger, Fred
University of Buffalo
Utley, Chas. H.
Van Bergen, Dr. Charles
Van Peyma, Dr. P. W.
Vassar Club of Buffalo
Viele, Sheldon T.
Volger, Hon. Otto W.
Vougt, William G.
Walker, John K.
Walsh, Louis C.
Ward, Rev. John C.
Warner, Clarence M.
Warner, Ludy A., Jr.
Warren, Edward S.
Warren, Col. Jas. G.
Warren, William Y.
Webster, Edward H.
Weed, Miss Kate E.
Welch, Miss Jane Meade
Wells, John D.
Wende, Dr. Grover W.
Wertimer, Henry
Wesley, Charles
Wheeler, Hon. Charles B.
White, J. Herbert
White, John K.
White, Percival M.
White, Seymour P.
Whitmore, Dr. J. E.
Wick, Henry K.
Wickser, John G.
Wilcox, Ansley
Wilgus, Leonard W.
Williams, Arthur H.
Williams, Rev. L. O.
Wilner, M. M.
Wilson, Charles R.
Wilson, Mrs. Robert P.
Wilson, W. Morse
Wilson, Mrs. Walter T.
Winship, Howard
Wippert, William
Wolfe, Avery C.
Wolff, Nathan
Woodward, Hon. John
Wright, Wm. B., Jr.
Yates, Harry
Young, Robert D.AWAV^V^

PICTURES
OF SOME OLD
BUFFALO BUILDINGS
THAT ARE GONE
385387388
THE VANDEVENTER HOUSE, No. 1458 MAIN STREET; TORN DOWN, 1915.
One of the oldest structures in that part of the city, with attractive grounds; now devoted to
business uses. (See Preface.)589
CE FRANKLIN BLOCK, FRANKLIN STREET, BETWEEN ERIE AND SENECA STREETS.
Erected, 1876; torn down, 1915. Replaced by an eleven story building for Wm. H. Walker & Co.OLD MOHAWK STREET HOUSES; TORN DOWN, 1915
“HASSLER’S,” BIRD ISLAND PIER, OPE PORTER AYE.
Removed by the Government. (See Preface.)
39D391
THE OLD BLACK BOCK CUSTOM HOUSE. BUILT, 1876; TORN DOWN, 1915392