A curious set of postcards of the Tonawandas (with three Tonawanda scenes mislabeled as North Tonawanda). Public Market, North Tonawanda N.Y. Paynes Avenue Junction and North Tonawanda Musical Instrument Works Paynes Avenue, North Tonawanda, N.Y. White, Frost & White Dock, North Tonawanda, N.Y. Main Street, North Tonawanda, N.Y. [sic] Delaware and Young Sts., North Tonawanda, N.Y. [sic] Clinton Park and Tonawanda High School, North Tonawanda, N.Y. [sic]
Tied up for winter, canal boats on the Erie Canal, Goose Island, photo (Historical Society of the Tonawandas, c. 1895).jpg
ON BACK: CANAL BOATS ON THE ERIE CANAL, TONAWANDA NEW YORK - c. 1895 The photographer is looking east from the Bouck Street canal bridge toward the Seymour Street canal bridge in the background at the right. North Canal Street on Goose Island is on the far side of the boats. At the right is the towpath which ran parallel to South Canal Street. (Article Tonawanda News, 1967-07-01).
N. Tonawanda, Lockport have similar histories, article (Clarence O. Lewis, Lockport Union Sun and Journal, 1957-05-25.jpg
Woman arrested in raid, article (Tonawanda News, 1935-07-01).jpg
Sought council action against raids on island, article (Tonawanda News, 1934-07-18).jpg
Skull broken in quarrel, Joseph Perew, article (Tonawanda News, 1912-05-21).jpg
Show cause order issued in drive to close resorts, article (Tonawanda News, 1936-04-08).jpg
Marohn victom of surly gang, Goose Island, article 1 of 2 (Tonawanda News, 1912-08-26).jpg
Lid clamped down tight on Goose Island by police, article (Tonawanda News, 1933-11-15).jpg
Investigate graft in vice area here, article (Tonawanda News, 1936-05-13).jpg
Indictiment of another ex-deputy sheriff sought, article (Tonawanda News, 1936-06-04).jpg
Goose Island bears deserted appearance, article (Tonawanda News, 1936-03-10).jpg
Fort Niagara soldiers in fight on Goose Island, article (Tonawanda News, 1917-11-02).jpg
Disorderly house raided by police, 12 Chestnut, article (Tonawanda News, 1912-09-24).jpg
Chief Marohn stages raid, takes woman into custody, article (Tonawanda News, 1935-04-24).jpg
Barge Canal to enter river at Tonawanda Creek's mouth, not Goose Island, article (Tonawanda News, 1910-06-06).jpg
Attempt made to kill woman, Ada Lynch of Goose Island, article (Tonawanda News, 1916-05-04).jpg
14 houses in Goose Island section ordered padlocked, article (Tonawanda News, 1936-10-29).jpg
Tonawanda sheds its blight, article with photos (1966-05-13).pdf
Chestnut Street, Meet Your Street, article (1969-10).jpg
Warren's request refused by Tonawanda alderman, article (Tonawanda News, 1933-11-21).jpg
Tonawanda OK says sheriff, article (Tonawanda News, 1921-01-26).jpg
The paper plant, location to Goose Island, article (Tonawanda News, 1902-10-13).jpg
Sheriff threatens cleanup of Goose Island conditions, article (Tonawanda News, 1925-06-10).jpg
Seek injunction order against local resorts, Perew property itemized, article (Tonawanda News, 1936-03-11).jpg
Police chief OKs Goose Island in personal probe, article (Tonawanda News, 1925-06-12).jpg
Perew's People's Hotel, ad (Tonawanda City Directory, 1903).jpg
Number of saloons decrease in decade, article (Tonawanda News, 1912-10-14).jpg
Mayor says vice hasn't a chance, Goose Island already reformed, article (Tonawanda News, 1921-01-26).jpg
Mayor objects to actions by sheriff's men, article (Tonawanda News, 1934-07-16).jpg
Hoefert warns habitues of Goose Island district, article (Tonawanda News, 1936-03-11).jpg
Goose Island recalled as "Silk Stocking" district, article (Tonawanda News, 1925-06-13).jpg
Goose Island probe planned, alleged reason for Sheriff Tyler's wrath, article (Tonawanda News, 1925-06-09).jpg
Goose Island demolition, photos (c.1966, via BuffaloStories).JPG
Canal made Tonawanda lusty town in 19th Century, article (Tonawanda News, 1959-07-20).jpg
Boys must keep off Goose Island for 90 days, 41 Tonawanda Street, article (Tonawanda News, 1912-03-18).jpg
Matthews, Northrup & Co.'s new map of the city of North Tonawanda, Niagara Co., N.Y. (1891).jpg
History of Erie County, Chapter XL, Town of Tonawanda (pp 412-426, c1883).pdf
George P. Smith of Tonawanda, State Ditch, article (Buffalo News, 1891-06-19).pdf
Erie Canal flood washes away an acre of land, notice (Boston Recorder, 1843-04-27).jpg
Era of national speculation laid heavy hand on Tonawandas, article (George W. Millener, Tonawanda News, 1941-10-30.jpg
Dr. Jesse Locke whips man playing possum at tavern, article (Boston Cultivator, 1843-03-04).jpg
Downtown Village of Tonawanda, guard lock, map detail (1837).jpg
Ancestry and descendants of Henry Perkins Smith and Christiana (Long) Smith (Compiled 1958).pdf
Agricultural Tour No.4, Tonawanda, article, transcribed (Genesee Farmer and Gardener's Journal, 1837-06-17).pdf
AI Summary: This installment of the New York Farmer casts Tonawanda as a rising transport and agricultural hub: its dammed creek feeds the Erie Canal, a new rail line will soon slash the three‑hour boat ride to Buffalo to under one hour, and the deep water anchorage—despite Niagara’s rapids—promises to be a shipbuilding site alongside Black Rock and Whitehaven. The limestone‑rich soils yield 25–30 bushels of wheat per acre for decades without manure (not to mention peas and hay), although local farming still awaits the productivity boost that regular clover sowing and better drainage could bring. Vast stands of oak, walnut, maple and elm fuel Grand Island sawmills, and the Niagara River corridor—from Black Rock through the whirlpool to the glittering expanse of Lake Ontario—offers a succession of truly unrivalled scenic views. With steam power, canal extensions and railroads on the way, the author predicts that Tonawanda is poised to blossom into one of New York’s most prosperous and picturesque regions. AI Transcription: From the New York Farmer. Agricultural Tour. — No. 4. Tonawanda is a small stream flowing into the River Niagara about twelve miles above the Falls. It is dammed at its mouth and is used for several miles as part of the Erie Canal. A considerable village is growing up at the mouth of the river, nearly opposite to Whitehaven on Grand Island; and the timber from Grand Island, destined for the New York and Boston shipyards is here admitted into the Grand Canal. The railroad between Buffalo and Niagara Falls passes through the village; and in future, passengers in the Canal packets will probably disembark here and take the cars to Buffalo by which means a distance, which by water occupies about three hours, will be passed over in less than an hour, three quarters of an hour, will ordinarily be deemed sufficient; a great and most valuable gain to travelers. The river Niagara, at the entrance of the Tonawanda into it, presents deep water and a secure anchorage for large vessels, which may be employed in navigating the lakes; but the difficulty of reaching the Lake again; a strong current and some difficult rapids, excepting under peculiarly favorable winds or very strong power of steam, may be thought to present strong obstacles to its use and improvement as a port of shipment. These, however, will be easily overcome by steam power; and availing of the ship canal at Black Rock. This and Whitehaven, being in the immediate vicinity, offer a most favorable situation for the building of vessels. The village is destined to extraordinary prosperity from its advantageous situation and the great improvements now in progress. The land in the vicinity of Tonawanda is of an excellent description. As far as the backwater of the creek extends, a distance of three or four miles, this circumstance is prejudicial; the cultivation in some places being necessarily hindered, and the general healthiness of the country has been supposed to be affected. The latter circumstance, however, is becoming obviated by clearance and cultivation. But when the land is not so affected the soil is eminently favorable to wheat, oats, potatoes, and grass. Indian corn is sometimes cultivated with success but it cannot be considered a safe crop. The soil is improved by cultivation. The whole country is of calcareous formation: loam resting upon limestone and intermixed with limestone gravel, which in the form of a carbonate is seen intermixed abundantly with the soil in small grains. These, being brought to the air by the plough, become decomposed; and the soil in this way acquires constantly increased blackness and fertility. Peas are a favorite and very productive crop. On visiting one of the best farms in the neighborhood of the creek, the farmer informed me that his crop of wheat usually averaged from twenty-five to thirty bushels per acre; of peas thirty bushels; of grass one and a half to two tons per acre. He uses no manure for his land excepting that he has spread some on his grass land; and he showed me a field which with the exception of three intermediate years, had been in wheat 13 years without a diminution of the crop. I have perfect confidence in the honor of the gentleman who made these statements, but possibly there may be some little unintentional overstatement; as it almost always happens, where crops are not matter of exact measurement, but of estimate or conjecture merely, there is a tendency to oversate. A crop of wheat certainly, without very careful cultivation, averaging from twenty-five to thirty bushels is quite large. The aftermath in the fields was short; and by no means a fair test of what the land is capable of being made to do. The farming in most parts of this country was inferior and slovenly; and the regular introduction of clover, with all the grain crops and the ploughing it in, would produce a most favorable and extraordinary change in their condition. Speculation however, is so rife, other means of procuring money seem to promise so much quicker returns; and labor is indeed so difficult to be procured, and withal so expensive and troublesome, that mere cultivation, it is to be feared, will continue to be regarded as a secondary interest. The passage of the canal through this country, and the multitude of canal boats which seem to pass and repass in an almost uninterrupted succession, afford a ready and cash market for all the produce of their farms. Their wants even then are but imperfectly supplied. The growth of the country here is in many places magnificent—oak, black walnut, maple, whitewood and elm of the largest description. Most of the wood, which is cut here, is sent to Buffalo, or sold at the Steam Saw Mill on Grand Island. Much of that which is suitable for timber is sawed at the same establishment for this purpose. The ride from Black Rock to the Niagara Falls, by the side of the Niagara River, is extremely beautiful; the expanse of water, the several fine islands skirted with rich foliage to the waters edge, and the excitement of an approach to the Falls, which it is not easy to suppress, though you may have visited them repeatedly, render this jaunt exceedingly interesting and delightful. The ride for some miles below the Falls towards Lake Ontario increases in picturesque effect; and presents many points of view embracing the Falls themselves, the wonderful passage of this torrent through its walls of natural masonry, which it would seem, must have occupied centuries, not to erect, but to excavate and widen, the compression of the torrent before it branches into the whirlpool, where owing to the narrowness of the passage, and the velocity with which it is forced onward, the central ridge of waters like the roof of a barn is elevated at least ten feet above the edge of the waters at the shore; the whirlpool itself, and afterwards the whole course of the river until it enters into Lake Ontario, which is seen distinctly from the high grounds, and lastly the magnificent and glittering expanse of the Lake itself, present a succession of views unrivalled and enchanting. The land on the shores of the Niagara River from Tonawanda to a distance of three miles below the Falls as far as my ride extended, is similar to what I have already described, excepting that in some places the clayey portions predominate much more here than in others. A good deal of this land has been a long time cleared and the stumps removed. It is much of it of a very fine character for wheat. A highly intelligent gentleman of the village at the Falls, who accompanied me, showed me a field which with the exception of one year had been for thirty years in succession in wheat, without manure and without any apparent diminution of its fertility. Twenty to twenty-five bushels of wheat are considered an average yield; thirty are often obtained. The first ploughing is generally shallow; afterwards deeper ploughing improves the soil. Plaster and clover have not yet been tried. Improvements are in progress and a spirit of enterprise awakened, united with intelligence, from which the best effects will result; and which must soon put a different aspect on the whole face of this splendid country; for which in respect to picturesque scenery, nature has lavished her gifts in prodigal and almost unrivalled profusion. Opposite Tonawanda, and lying along in the riv-
Mechanical Man, Perew (left), photo (HST p-7658, c1922).jpg
Truck motto reads, "J. A. Dischinger & Son, Tonawanda, N.Y." Joseph Albert Dischinger in 1912 <a href="https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252011%2FNorth%2520Tonawanda%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%2FNorth%2520Tonawanda%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%25201912%2520Sep-Mar%25201914%2520%2520Grayscale%2FNorth%2520Tonawanda%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%25201912%2520Sep-Mar%25201914%2520%2520Grayscale%2520-%25200050.pdf%23xml%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D2ec06ad6%26DocId%3D1953598%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520U%26HitCount%3D38%26hits%3D18%2B34%2Baa%2Be0%2B14f%2B162%2B169%2B1a9%2B1af%2B216%2B378%2B3c8%2B3ce%2B60d%2B6c3%2B71c%2B839%2B83d%2B8ce%2B908%2B99b%2Bbfc%2Bdca%2Bde8%2Be5c%2Be69%2Be95%2Bed8%2Beea%2Bfbf%2B1016%2B1040%2B108a%2B1098%2B112c%2B1177%2B117c%2B1186%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252011%2FNorth%2520Tonawanda%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%2FNorth%2520Tonawanda%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%25201912%2520Sep-Mar%25201914%2520%2520Grayscale%2FNorth%2520Tonawanda%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%25201912%2520Sep-Mar%25201914%2520%2520Grayscale%2520-%25200050.pdf&xml=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3D2ec06ad6%26DocId%3D1953598%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520U%26HitCount%3D38%26hits%3D18%2B34%2Baa%2Be0%2B14f%2B162%2B169%2B1a9%2B1af%2B216%2B378%2B3c8%2B3ce%2B60d%2B6c3%2B71c%2B839%2B83d%2B8ce%2B908%2B99b%2Bbfc%2Bdca%2Bde8%2Be5c%2Be69%2Be95%2Bed8%2Beea%2Bfbf%2B1016%2B1040%2B108a%2B1098%2B112c%2B1177%2B117c%2B1186%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false">is an agent for Overland Automobile Agency, 67 Young Street, Tonawanda. Son may be William. 353 Niagara Street, Tonawanda. Has an auto garage at 37 Young in 1914, welding and brazing, "Automobile garage and marine engines...all kinds of machine work." In 1907 J. A. Dischinger <a href="https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252011%2FNorth%2520Tonawanda%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%2FNorth%2520Tonawanda%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%25201907%2520Mar-Nov%2520Grayscale%2FNorth%2520Tonawanda%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%25201907%2520Mar-Nov%2520Grayscale%2520-%25201222.pdf%23xml%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffffca384449%26DocId%3D1947978%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520U%26HitCount%3D24%26hits%3D2b%2B7a%2Bdc%2B24e%2B30e%2B332%2B3dd%2B3f7%2B9f3%2B9fa%2Ba3e%2Ba44%2Ba64%2Ba74%2Baa1%2Baa4%2Bb5a%2Bb5c%2Bb98%2Bbb5%2Bed5%2Bf2f%2Bf34%2Bf3d%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252011%2FNorth%2520Tonawanda%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%2FNorth%2520Tonawanda%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%25201907%2520Mar-Nov%2520Grayscale%2FNorth%2520Tonawanda%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%25201907%2520Mar-Nov%2520Grayscale%2520-%25201222.pdf&xml=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffffca384449%26DocId%3D1947978%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520U%26HitCount%3D24%26hits%3D2b%2B7a%2Bdc%2B24e%2B30e%2B332%2B3dd%2B3f7%2B9f3%2B9fa%2Ba3e%2Ba44%2Ba64%2Ba74%2Baa1%2Baa4%2Bb5a%2Bb5c%2Bb98%2Bbb5%2Bed5%2Bf2f%2Bf34%2Bf3d%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false">allegedly marries Ethel Berry before the latter is divorced; Hubby #1 comes from Youngstown demanding her return and bigamy charges Dischinger, Joseph A. Died September 4, 1937 Ton. News 9/4/37 pg. 2
Tonawandas Once Lumber Center, article (Carence O. Lewis, Niagara Falls Gazette, 1965-03-31).pdf
Tonawanda Island for a fishing and sporting club, article, transcribed (On Dits in Sporting Circles, 1844-04-13).jpg
AI Summary: A call for ten or more gentlemen to form a club and purchase Tonawanda Island, a 100‑acre river island eleven miles above the Falls, noted for its fine timber, fruit trees, cultivated land, a luxurious brick villa, excellent shooting and fishing grounds, and clear title—proposed as an exclusive sportsmen’s retreat. AI Transcription: Fishing and Shooting Club.—Cannot a club of ten or more gentlemen be found in this city for the purchase of Tonawanda Island, now advertised for sale or exchange? The island is delightfully situated in Niagara River, eleven miles above the Falls: it contains 100 acres of land, 20 of which are under good cultivation, the remainder being well timbered with a fine growth of oak, walnut, and cedar. There are also upwards of 200 choice fruit‑trees of every description, and numerous grape vines—all from Buel’s Garden, at Albany. On a commanding situation is an elegant brick dwelling house, of two stories, forty feet square, erected in 1839, at an expense of \$15,000, in the most approved style of domestic architecture, furnished in an unusually luxurious and costly manner, with the doors of polished black walnut, window sashes of cherry, \&c.; the rooms are spacious and conveniently arranged, and there are ten large sleeping chambers, with a view of the river from every window. The house is entirely surrounded with a broad and elegant piazza, and at a convenient distance are all the desirable appendages of such a villa, including a fine spring, a gardener’s cottage, stables, bath‑houses, boat‑house, wharves, fishing‑places, \&c. The Island contains fine shooting ground, and the river affords a great variety of fishing—the place being well adapted to the enjoyment of sportsmen. The title is perfectly good, being derived directly from the State of New York. This is the “paradise” referred to by Willis, as “the most beautiful and aristocratic property in this country”—“the best cradle nature could possibly form for the cradle of a luxurious exclusive.” Further particulars may be learned at 533 Houston Street, in this city. Why cannot a club be organized here upon the plan of those in Chesapeake Bay, and on the Potomac, for sporting and social purposes?
Tonawanda Island former picnic resort, article, Clarence O. Lewis (Niagara Falls Gazette, 1965-03-24.jpg
Sad Reversal of Fortunes, Hezekiah Mosby (Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, Christian Secretary, 1839-05-17).pdf
The article tells the story of Hezekiah Mosby, a Virginia plantation owner who freed his enslaved people, sold his plantation, and used the proceeds to support their relocation and independence. Mosby accompanied some of them to New York, where he helped them settle on farms. However, a series of tragedies struck: a theft of $2,000 in gold left Mosby destitute Researcher James Pellow has fleshed out the story in this post in his Facebook group, The Unearthed History of the Town of Tonawanda.
Tonawanda Village and Town History, transcription (from History of Buffalo and Erie County, Chapter XL, pp 412-426, 1884).pdf
(Illustrations: Urial Driggs and John Simpson) CHAPTER XL HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF TONAWANDA History of the Town of Tonawanda First Settlement War of 1812 Post-War Settlement Construction of the Erie Canal Railroads and Infrastructure Tonawanda in the Civil War Formation of the Town of Tonawanda List of Supervisors The Village of Tonawanda Business and Economy Education The Post Office Churches Urial Driggs John Simpson THIS town lies in the northwest part of the county, having Tonawanda creek for its northern and Niagara river for its western boundary. It has an extreme length of six miles from east to west, and an extreme width of five miles from north to south. Its area is about twenty-two square miles, and it is entirely situated in township twelve, range eight, of the Holland Company’s survey, except a strip a mile wide along the river which is in the State reservation described in the general history. The surface of the town is generally level: the soil along the Niagara being a clayey loam, while that of the interior is a sandy loam. Ellicott’s creek runs northwesterly through the town emptying into Tonawanda creek near its mouth. The first settlement was made by Alexander Logan, John King, and John Hershey, who located themselves in the southeast part of the town in 1805. Oliver Standard settled on the Niagara River in 1806, and in the same year John Cunningham, Josiah Guthrie, Ebenezer Coon, Thomas Hannan, and Joseph Hershey located in the town. Henry Anguish came in 1808, making his home near Tonawanda creek, a short distance above the old Tonawanda burying-ground. Robert Van Slyke soon after settled near him. Frederick Buck located on the river, above Standard, in 1809, and not long afterward James Burba made his home still farther up the river, and near the southwest corner of the present town of Tonawanda. In 1811, Henry Anguish opened a tavern, the first in the town, at his residence. Robert Van Slyke also became a landlord, although somewhat later. During the same year (1811) Robert Simson located himself near Ellicott creek, about a mile above its mouth. At this time the site of Tonawanda village and almost all of the town was a forest. The only road from Tonawanda creek to Buffalo was along the beach of the Niagara River. Another road had been underbrushed but was not used. John P. Martin and a Mr. Stevens settled on Wright’s creek about 1812, but soon moved away. Among the settlers of this period, or a little later, were David Carr [then spelled Kerr], (father-in-law of General T. S. Hopkins, of Williamsville,) who located himself on Tonawanda creek, just outside the site of the village, and Charles Carr, Alvin Dodge, and a Mr. Miller, who made their homes on what was called “The Guide-board road,” running from Tonawanda to Williamsville. John Foster, also, about the same time opened a farm adjoining that of Henry Anguish; he was the pioneer Methodist exhorter of this region. He held services at the house of Robert Simson, at his own house and elsewhere, and was occasionally assisted by Rev. Glezen Fillmore, who came over from Clarence. Mr. Berlin, father of James and John Berlin, Richard Rogers, James Robinson, and Henry Simondon located themselves on the Military road from Tonawanda to Buffalo; their farms being in the order named, beginning at Tonawanda. William Best was the first surveyor in the town; his son, R. Hamilton Best, was the sheriff of Erie County in 1862-'64. Just before the war of 1812, a block-house was built on the south side of Tonawanda creek, near its mouth. In August of that year it contained sixteen soldiers. A rumor got abroad that the British and Indians had taken possession of Grand Island and might, perhaps, cross to the mainland. The few men of the vicinity were called to the guard-house; a day or two later several hundred British Indians appeared on the shore of Grand Island opposite Tonawanda. The soldiers and citizens were turned out and after parading in sight of the enemy were marched back, and then reappeared with their coats turned wrong side out, to impress the enemy with the idea that a new force had arrived. Whether on account of this strategy, or for other reasons, the Indians did not attempt to cross the river. Throughout the war the scattered settlers of this region were kept in a constant state of excitement, either on account of threatened attacks from Canada, or by the marching to and fro of bodies of American troops, which were expected to carry the war across the river. After the capture of Fort Niagara by the British, on the 19th of December, 1813, the danger became more serious than before. About a week later, just before the attack on Buffalo, a detachment of the enemy came up from the captured fort, burning every building along the road. They burned the guard-house before mentioned, and all the other buildings in the vicinity, with one exception. There was no village, but there were a few log farm-houses scattered along the road, and we believe, a log tavern on the north side of the creek. The building which was not burned was occupied by Mrs. Francis (a daughter of Robert Simson,) who was sick and unable to flee. Her house was set on fire three times, and each time she crawled downstairs and extinguished the flames; probably the house was of logs, and did not burn easily. The enemy went little if any farther south than Tonawanda at this time. When Buffalo was burned, on the 30th of December, the straggling settlers of Tonawanda felt themselves in greater danger than ever and most of them retreated eastward. As the enemy, however, made no more raids across the river, the people gradually returned to their homes, and when a well-appointed American army appeared on the frontier in the spring of 1814, their confidence returned, nor were they again disturbed by an invader. During the war, we believe in 1814, James Burba, who as before stated had settled in the southwest part of the town of Tonawanda, was murdered by three soldiers of the regular army. They had been ordered to go a mile and a half below Scajaquada creek to see if there were any signs of the enemy. They went three miles below the creek to the house of Burba, who kept a wayside tavern, and probably, after indulging freely in his liquor, endeavored to carry off some vegetables from his garden. He attempted to prevent them and a quarrel ensued, in which they killed him. One of the murderers escaped, but the other two, Charles Thompson and James Peters, were tried and convicted at Buffalo, in June, 1815, and were executed in August following. This was the first trial and execution by civil law within the present county of Erie. The Burba property was afterwards bought by John Foster, the Methodist exhorter, who also kept a tavern. An incident of pioneer life in this town was related by the late James Harrington, a reputable man, a sixty-years’ resident of Buffalo, long connected with its stage and railroad business, who died a few years ago aged upwards of 80 years. Making his way from an eastern State to Buffalo, in the summer of 1815, he embarked in a vessel at Oswego, landed at Lewiston, on the lower part of the Niagara, and took the road up that river for Buffalo on foot, with his extra clothing in a small bundle, hung on a stick thrown over his shoulder. Arriving at Tonawanda creek, he espied a canoe on the opposite side, but no conveyance on the side where he stood. Standing on the bank, for it was a deep stream, he hallooed to the occupants of a log cabin on the south side, to call someone to set him across. Soon a stout woman came to the door and asked what he wanted. He told her he wanted to cross the creek. “Very well,” said she, “give me a quarter of a dollar and I'll ferry you over.” “But I haven’t got a quarter; eighteen pence is all the money I have left,” replied Harrington; “I will give you that for a passage across.” “No matter,” returned the woman, “a quarter is the price, and if you can’t pay that you can stay where you are.” Harrington was bound for Buffalo. The weather was warm so he threw off his coat, lashed it to his bundle, entered the water, swam across, and trudged on his way, giving little credit to Tonawanda hospitality. After the war, settlement was again resumed and the forest was steadily cleared away, though not as rapidly as in some other towns. Edward Carney settled in 1816 on Tonawanda Island. His son, James Carney, mentions an unoccupied house then standing, situated near where the road leaves the river, which was soon after fitted up as a schoolhouse; it was the first in that part of the town, and he thinks in the whole town. Ephraim Kelsey was the earliest teacher. Miss Hannah Pettit, now Mrs. Jacob Whitman, attended school under him. About 1820, Peter Taylor kept a tavern in a hewed log house near the crossing of Tonawanda creek. It was not until 1823 that any marked change was made. About the beginning of that year the commissioners in charge of the construction of the Erie Canal made a contract with Judge Samuel Wilkeson and Dr. Ebenezer Johnson, of Buffalo, to build a dam near the mouth of Tonawanda creek, as it was intended to use that stream as a part of the canal from its mouth along the northern border of the present town of Tonawanda, and the greater part of Amherst. The work was begun early in the spring and a large number of men were employed. Wilkeson and Johnson also constructed three-fourths of a mile of the canal and built a toll bridge. During the year the village of Tonawanda was laid out. Of this more will be said a little farther on. During 1823 and 1824, and perhaps the early part of 1825, the canal was constructed along the Niagara river from Buffalo to Tonawanda. A tow-path was also made by the side of Tonawanda creek, which became a part of the canal, the whole great work being completed in September, 1825. Outside of the village the further progress of the town was not marked by any exciting events. The land was steadily cleared off, framed houses were substituted for log ones, the ground was drained where necessary, (as in some places was the case,) and the town gradually took on the appearance of an old and well-cultivated district. The first railroad operated by steam in Western New York, that from Buffalo to Niagara Falls, was opened through Tonawanda in 1836. The Canandaigua & Niagara Falls railroad now, like the one previously named in use as a part of the New York Central, was completed in 1854. The Niagara Falls branch of the New York, Lake Erie & Western, railroad was built in 1870. There were in all about thirteen miles of railroad track in the town. In the war for the Union the young men of Tonawanda took an active part. Colonel Payne's company (D) of the One Hundredth New York Infantry, was raised in this town and the adjoining town of Wheatfield, Niagara county, and a large number of other Tonawandians were scattered through other companies and regiments. Their services are narrated in the chapters devoted to the services of the volunteers in the civil war. At the time of the first settlement of the territory of the town of Tonawanda it was a part of the town of Erie, Genesee county which extended from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario, embracing all that part of the present county of Erie west of the “West Transit.” On the organization of Niagara county in 1808 the territory in question became a part of Clarence which covered all the northern part of what is now Erie county. In 1810 it was made a portion of the new town of Buffalo, of which it remained a part for twenty-six years; being transferred with it from Niagara to Erie county in 1821. On the 16th day of April, 1836, the town of Tonawanda was formed from Buffalo by an act of the Legislature; it comprised the present towns of Tonawanda and Grand Island. The new town was not organized until the next year. The following is a nearly complete list of the first officers elected: William Williams, supervisor; T. W. Williams, town clerk; John T. Bush, Daniel Smith, and Mr. Fosdyck, justices of the peace; Jeremiah Phalin, and James Carney, assessors; John Simson and William Best, commissioners of highways. Grand Island was formed into a separate town by the board of supervisors of Erie County, in October, 1852. The following is a list of the supervisors of Tonawanda, with their years of service, from its organization to the present time, so far as they can be ascertained: William Williams, 1837–38; Jedediah H. Lathrop, 1839; Theron W. Woolson, 1840; James Carney, 1846–47; J. H. Phillips, 1848–50; Theron W. Woolson, 1851–54; Warren Moulton, 1855–56; Paul Roberts, 1857–58; Christoph Schwinger, 1859; Emanuel Hensler, 1860–61; David Kohler, 1862–63; Benjamin H. Long, 1864–65; Frederick Knothe, 1866–67; S. G. Johnson, 1868–69; B. H. Long, 1870; Christoph Schwinger, 1871; Frederick Knothe, 1872–73; William Kibler, 1874; J. H. DeGraff, 1875; Philip Wendell, 1876; A. B. Williams, 1877–78; Oscar H. Gorton, 1879–80; James H. DeGraff, 1881–82. At the present time (1883) the supervisor is R. Holway; the town clerk is William Schwinger and the justices of the peace are Simon Bellinger, S. G. Johnson, Theodore Schneider, and C. W. Sickman. THE VILLAGE OF TONAWANDA. There was no village, nor even a hamlet, at Tonawanda until 1823. Mr. Joseph Bush, who was there early in that year, says there was nothing but a log tavern on the south side of the creek and another on the north side. The former had recently been kept, and perhaps was then kept, by Peter Taylor; the latter was kept by Garrett Van Slyke. Mr. Van Slyke was the proprietor of a rope ferry across the creek, and his daughters were in the habit of ferrying travelers over the stream. As already stated, in 1823 Judge Wilkeson and Dr. Johnson of Buffalo took contracts for building a dam at the mouth of the Tonawanda and also three-fourths of a mile of the canal in the immediate vicinity. They, of course, employed a large number of men, and a village of shanties at once sprang up near the mouth of the Tonawanda. Wilkeson & Johnson built a toll bridge across the creek and opened a store on the north side of the creek, in Niagara County. During the year, Albert H. Tracy, Charles Townsend, and other Buffalonians formed a company, bought land, and laid out the village of Tonawanda. While the canal was in progress, there was a great deal of business at the new village, but after its completion, in the autumn of 1825, the temporary excitement subsided, and there was but little improvement for many years. In 1827, Mr. Urial Driggs opened what we believe was the first store on the south side of the creek and the first in the town of Tonawanda. Mr. Driggs, after fifty-six years have passed, is still carrying on a grocery store at Tonawanda. Mr. Joseph Bush, after acting as a clerk a few years in Wilkeson & Johnson's store, opened one of his own on the south side of the creek. He was in the grocery business at Tonawanda nearly forty years. Roswell Driggs was an early hotel keeper. Soon after 1823, a post office was established, bearing the name of Tonawanda. Mr. Bush was the postmaster during many years. The village increased but slowly, though now and then a small advance was made in the lumber business. Henry P. Smith was the pioneer lumber dealer. John Simpson had sawmills and a planing mill at Tonawanda as early as 1840. He and others secured the attention of the Cleveland Commercial Company, who made an earnest attempt to develop the resources of Tonawanda, about or before 1850. They purchased five hundred feet of river frontage and erected an elevator with a storage capacity of 250,000 bushels and capable of elevating 2,000 bushels per hour. The company also laid out several new streets, gave a large square to the public, and sold numerous lots to laboring men on long credit. But the circumstances were not propitious, and for several years the elevator stood substantially without business. It was burned about 1857. Several of the members of the Cleveland Commercial Company died, its lots in Tonawanda were divided between its members, and its enterprises were all abandoned. After the war, business began to revive, and about 1870 the lumber trade assumed important proportions. With all other kinds of business, it suffered a serious depression during the financial crisis of 1873 and the succeeding years, but there was all the time a very large quantity of lumber and timber brought from Canada and Michigan, and during the last three or four years, the trade has been more prosperous than ever. J. S. Thompson, Lockman & Woods, Fassett & Bellinger, P. W. Scribner, Peter Misner, and A. B. Williams were the principal dealers in Tonawanda, together with the Export Company, J. H. DeGraff & Co., Gratwick, Smith & Fryer, J. M. Chapman, James Norris, and others, in North Tonawanda, Niagara County. They built miles of dock and have hundreds of acres of ground covered with lumber brought from Michigan and Canada, for distribution by rail to points south and east. The lumber yards have side tracks from the different railroads running in every direction through them, with switch engines, which are kept busily engaged in drawing cars to and fro. The Tonawanda Lumber Association, composed of dealers on both sides of the creek, was formed in 1873. Tonawanda is not a port of entry, though considering the amount of import business transacted there, it would certainly seem as if it ought to be. There is a deputy collector on each side of the creek, the one in Erie County reporting to the collector at Buffalo, and the one in Niagara reporting to the one at Suspension Bridge. A vessel bound hither usually clears for “Tonawanda” and then enters and pays duties on whichever side she breaks bulk. P. S. Humphrey is the collector on the south side, and Frederick Somers on the north side. The shingle business was carried on by J. A. Bliss very extensively for many years. He closed out in the fall of 1882. J. Batt engaged in The same occupation during the late war, and also did a good business. This establishment is now in the hands of J. S. Bliss, who cuts 400,000 shingles daily. J. S. Thompson began the manufacture of shingles in 1881 and turns out 200,000 daily. He was formerly in partnership with R. J. Wilder; he employs forty hands. Leaving the principal business of Tonawanda, we will glance at other professions and occupations. Lawyers.— John T. Bush, who had studied law in Buffalo under Henry K. Smith, began practice in Tonawanda in 1836. He was not, however, a permanent resident, spending a large part of his time in Buffalo. He served two terms in the Assembly and one in the State Senate. He is now a wealthy resident on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. His brother, William T. Bush, began the practice of law in Tonawanda in 1837. He was also elected to the Assembly and was United States Marshal under Fillmore’s administration. He continued in practice until a few years since when he retired. He is still a resident of Tonawanda. W. W. Thayer, ex-Governor of Oregon, located in Tonawanda in 1855 and practiced several years. D. H. Long began practice in 1856 and continued until 1878, when he died. George Wing began practice in 1868, but in a few years removed to Buffalo. Willis J. Benedict came a few years later than Mr. Wing and after a brief practice also removed to Buffalo. Elias Root and F. L. Clark practiced in partnership from July 1877 to May 1882, when the former removed to Dakota and the latter formed a partnership with W. B. Simson, which was dissolved in January 1883. Both gentlemen are now practicing in Tonawanda. Charles W. Sickman, who resides in Tonawanda, has an office in Buffalo. Physicians.— Dr. Jesse F. Locke was the first resident physician of Tonawanda, though Dr. Thomas, who resided in Niagara County, had practiced there previously. Dr. Locke came about 1838 and practiced until his death in 1860. Dr. Frederick F. Hoyer, a native of Herkimer County, came in 1849, and it is noticeable that two other physicians, (Dr. Ware and Dr. Gail,) located at Tonawanda on the same day that he did. They remained, however, but a short period, while Dr. Hoyer has been in active practice in Tonawanda until the present time. Drs. Leonard and Dieffenbach came somewhat later and remained but a short time. Dr. W. D. Murray located in Tonawanda about 1857, and is still in practice there. The later physicians now practicing in the village are: Dr. H. B. Murray, Dr. Simson Cook, and Dr. C. Rollin Cobb. The Press.— The Tonawanda Herald was established before 1853. After changing hands several times it was purchased by S. O. Hayward, in 1854, who changed its name to the Niagara Frontier. Subsequently, he again changed it to the Tonawanda Enterprise. Save during a brief interval, Mr. Hayward has conducted the paper as editor and proprietor from 1854 to the present time. It is an eight-page, sixteen-column sheet, is independent in politics, and has attained a good circulation. The Daily News was established in 1878, by George S. Hobbie. At that time it had but three columns on each of its four pages. Increased circulation brought increased size, and it now has five columns per page. [There is also a paper called, the Tonawanda Herald, published by Chapman & Warner, in North Tonawanda, Niagara County.] The State Bank of Tonawanda was established May 1, 1883, with the following officers: President, James H. DeGraff; Vice-President, Edward Evans; Cashier, Benjamin L. Rand; Directors, J. H. DeGraff, E. Evans, C. Schwinger, W. D. Murray, T. S. Fassett, H. Smith, and B. L. Rand. Capital, $100,000. Merchants, Grocers, Etc.— Urial Driggs has been in the mercantile business in Tonawanda most of the time since 1827. S. G. Johnson established himself in the same business in 1848 and has been engaged in it most of the time since. He has been a justice of the peace several terms, was a justice of sessions in 1860, and was the supervisor of the town in 1868 and 1869. William Kibler was an early merchant in Tonawanda; his store is now owned by Joseph Powell. James A. Pinner established himself in business in 1853 and still carries it on. Christoph Schwinger came not long afterwards and was very successful. Louis F. Green is also one of the grocers of that period. Simon J. Locke established the drug business as a specialty shortly before the late war. His store is now owned by C. H. Scoville, who took possession in 1881. A hardware store was established by Sherman & Campbell, about the time of the late war. It was transferred to O. H. Gorton in 1870 and is still under his management. Lyman G. Stanley opened a drug and stationery store in 1866, but since 1872 has confined himself to the sale of drugs alone. Christian Diedrich opened a store in 1867; he died in 1883, and his widow now carries on the business. Nice & Hinkey built a fine brick block in 1867 and have since carried on a large hardware business. A. H. Crown had a general store for many years after the late war. The establishment was purchased in 1880 by J. Wolf & Sons, who carry it on as a dry goods store only. Christian Miller opened the first furniture store in the village in 1870. William H. Hepworth, A. L. Karner, and L. Silverstone have all been in the dry goods business for several years. J. H. Kohler and J. B. Huff have both engaged in the boot and shoe business during the year 1883. Manufactures.— The Tonawanda Pipe Works were established in 1857 by J. S. Hobbie. He manufactures water and gas pipe, and steam pipe casing; also sawed and cut shingles. The Tonawanda Pump Works were erected in 1870 by William Grieser, who manufactures two hundred pumps annually. The brick yard owned by Edward Hall was established by him in 1871; it produces 3,000,000 bricks annually. William Simson also engaged in the manufacture of brick in 1880. William M. Gilley [Gillie] erected a machine-shop in 1883. The Tonawanda Brewery was built by George Zent just after the close of the late war. It was burned some years afterward, but was rebuilt by Mr. Zent. This property was sold in March, 1883, to the Niagara Brewer's Association, a stock company consisting of eighty members. The officers are: Christian Schwinger, president; J. R. Holway, secretary; Dr. W. D. Murray, J. R. Holway, Martin Riester, L. Smith, Jacob Stockmeyer, and William Kibler, directors. The company brews one hundred and fifty barrels per day. The Tonawanda Vinegar Works were established in May, 1883, by L. P. Rose & Son. They manufacture eight barrels of vinegar per day. The Village Government.—The village of Tonawanda was incorporated on the 7th day of January, 1854. It then included what is now known as North Tonawanda, situated in Niagara County. There were four wards, of which one was north of the creek. The first officers were John R. Wheeler, president; Theron W. Woolson, Jesse F. Locke, and Henry F. Hill, trustees; Franklin T. McCollor, clerk; Hiram Newell, treasurer; William Hay, collector; Elijah Cooley, Gideon Hulbert, and Thomas J. Keith, assessors; Levi Waite, pound-master. In 1857, the residents of that portion of the village situated in Niagara County, having become discontented on account of the superior power wielded by the part lying in Erie County, procured the passage of an act withdrawing them from the jurisdiction of the village. Since then, Tonawanda has been entirely unconnected, legally, with North Tonawanda. The present officers are: Charles W. Sickman, president; M. Scanlon, C. Schwinger, H. G. March, A. A. Bellinger, and Frederick Schwartz, trustees; Fayette A. Ballard, clerk; James B. Huff, treasurer; Thomas McGinnis, collector; Theodore Hardleben, W. W. Parker, and George Fatzer, assessors; David Kohler, street commissioner; George Schrier, pound-master. Even in educational matters, the south side is entirely separate from the north. Union school district No. 3, of Tonawanda, erected a large, three-story brick schoolhouse in 1870, in which a flourishing graded school has since been carried on. There are now about four hundred scholars, under the charge of T. B. Dates, as principal, assisted by a corps of Normal graduates. The Post Office of Tonawanda was established between 1825 and 1830. It was kept many years by Joseph Bush. Jacob Kibler was appointed postmaster during the administration of President Fillmore; S. G. Johnson during that of Pierce; Christian Eggert during that of Buchanan; R. W. Driggs under that of Lincoln; S. O. Hayward under that of Lincoln; and Henry Stanley also under that of Lincoln. Mr. Stanley died shortly after his appointment and was succeeded by his widow, who remained postmistress seventeen years. Robert L. Koch, the present...The postmaster was appointed under the administration of President Hayes and re-appointed under that of Arthur. The gross receipts for the fiscal year ending May 4, 1883, were $4,774.96. The office receives an average of about five hundred letters and five hundred papers daily. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Tonawanda.—John Foster, a local preacher, preached the first Methodist sermon in Tonawanda, at the house of Robert Simson about 1816. Three years after this, Mr. Simson sold a small tract to the school district, on which a school house was built where Mr. Foster preached for a number of years. In 1830 Mr. A. H. Tracy donated a lot on South Canal Street, in the village of Tonawanda, to John Simson (son of Robert), for church purposes. That gentleman circulated a subscription for a Union Church, and after obtaining $400, added $1,600 himself, and built a church worth $2,000. The building was occupied by Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, and Universalists, all represented by John Simson, Urial Driggs, and Levi Zimmerman, as trustees. In 1842 James Sweeney, John Sweeney, and Mr. Gaundey [Goundry?] donated to John Simson a lot on Tremont Street, twenty-two feet front, for a church and schoolhouse. Mr. Simson added thirteen feet to the lot, upon which he built a church and shed, at a cost of $2,500. Mr. Simson paid $2,000 himself and raised the rest by subscription. The society was incorporated December 17, 1842; Lewis Deming, Jesse F. Locke, and Nathaniel Cummings being elected trustees. In consequence of a defective title, it was reorganized April 17, 1854, when the following trustees were elected: James A. Pinner, Orson Shepard, Orrin Dutton, George Shesler, Hiram Newell, Theron W. Woolson, John Simson, Charles H. Calkins, and Erastus Chamberlain. John Simson deeded the property to the Methodist Episcopal Society, July 4, 1867. The following pastors have served the church: B. F. McNeal, 1859; W. L. Leake, 1860; J. Timmerman and R. C. Foot, 1861; C. P. Clark, 1862 and '63; C. D. Burlingham, 1866; J. McEwen, 1867 and '68; Z. Hurd, 1869 and '70; C. P. Clark, 1871; S. Smith, 1872 and '73; H. Vosburgh, 1874 to '76; G. H. Dyer (during whose last year a new church was commenced) 1877 to '79; L. D. Watson (during whose pastorate the new church was completed) 1880 and '82. The church property is worth $20,000. The Catholic Church of Tonawanda.— This church began its work in the building known as the Sacred Heart, now the old school house, under the auspices of Father Francis Uhlrich, in the year 1850. In 1862 Father Uhlrich and his congregation erected St. Francis’ Church, a commodious stone structure, there being then a membership of about fifty families. Father Aloysius Bachmann took charge as resident pastor, August 9, 1874. The church now contains about two hundred families and has an average attendance of about two hundred and fifty children in the school. A handsome two-story brick schoolhouse was erected during the year 1883. The First Presbyterian Church.— This church was organized on the 29th of May, 1852, by the Rev. A. T. Rankin, D. D. The first officers and members were as follows: elders, Daniel Butts, Thomas J. Collins, and William R. Allen; trustees, Henry P. Smith, Daniel Butts, and Henry Hill; other members, Catharine Collins, Emeline Butts, Mehitable G. Locke, Thankful Taber, Mary Taber Payne, Amanda M. Taber, Margaret Hoyt, Jane T. Atwater, Lereina Goodrich, Amarilla Patterson, Elizabeth Lafflin, John Churchill, and Phebe Cherry. Mr. Collins is still an elder of the church; Mrs. Taber, Mrs. Payne, Elizabeth Lafflin, and Mrs. Cherry are the only other members remaining of the original number. The following is a list of the pastors and regular supplies from the organization of the society down to the 1st of January, 1883: A. T. Rankin, D. D., Arthur Burtis, D. D., William Hancock, E. W. Kellogg, R. R. Sutherland, D. D., A. B. Robinson, A. F. Hale, and W. C. Macbeth. The Rev. William Alfred Gay, for ten years the pastor of the Breckenridge Street Presbyterian Church of Buffalo, has been supplying this congregation since the 1st of January, 1883, during which time two large debts have been paid and many important improvements made. The church edifice, built of pressed brick, has a very large audience-room with stained windows and a fine organ. The following are the officers of the church: Pastor, William Alfred Gay; session, T. J. Collins (stated clerk), Thomas McConkey, and William Baker; trustees, George W. Tong (president), E. W. Betts, F. L. Clark, J. F. Vincent, George Herschel. The Church of Christ of Tonawanda.— This church is undenominational, its members being known only as Disciples of Christ. It was organized March 27, 1853, when Asa Ransom and Samuel Kinsey were appointed overseers; it then numbered forty persons. Their house of worship, a brick edifice, was erected on the corner of Broadway and Seymour Streets in the year 1855. Its dimensions were sixty-two feet by thirty-four with a seating capacity of about four hundred. During the year 1882 it was remodeled and repaired at a cost of about $2,000. The following are the names of the resident preachers: J. J. Moss, J. D. Benedict, J. M. Bartlett, C. L. Streight, H. C. Parsons, J. C. Goodrich, Geo. Lobingier, L. Osborne. The present membership, including fifteen non-residents, is one hundred and fifty-five. The following are the present officials: Asa Ransom, Daniel Bellinger, and Edward Evans, trustees; Asa Ransom, William McLaren, and L. Osborne, overseers; Daniel Bellinger, Giles Schell, and Benjamin L. Rand, deacons. The Free Methodist Church of Tonawanda was organized in 1860. It originated in religious meetings held at the house of Father George Goodenough, and at the first organization there were but fifteen members. The Rev. W. W. Brown is their present pastor. G. W. Goodenough, George Low, Ira W. Rose, M. B. Shearer, D. F. Horton, L. P. Rose, and Daniel Hall are officers of this society. The German Baptist Church of Tonawanda was organized in December, 1872. The first mission was held in Evans’ Hall. In 1875 the present church building was erected, and in December, 1876, the Rev. E. E. Chivers preached the dedication sermon. In October, 1879, the regular organization of this society was recognized by the German Baptist Church. The first officers were: Rev. R. Otto, pastor; A. Bauer, deacon; T. Otto, secretary and treasurer. The present officers are: Rev. R. Otto, pastor; F. Miller, secretary; H. Smith, treasurer. The church has a membership of forty persons. Urial Driggs, of Tonawanda, was born in the town of Marcellus, on the banks of Nine Mile Creek in Onondaga County, N. Y., November 15, 1802, and when ten years of age, moved with his father, Roswell Driggs, to Ontario, Wayne County. About one year preceding the building of the canal, the father removed to Grand Island; from there soon went to the old Fields farm, and thence to the village of Tonawanda, where he kept the Tonawanda House, and died when fifty-six years of age. Urial Driggs labored under adverse circumstances during the early years of his life. His parents not being greatly supplied with riches, he was partly sent adrift to shift for himself. He worked on a farm for five dollars a month, taking his pay in wheat, which he sold at three shillings a bushel; or cut cordwood for two shillings a cord. During the few years he attended school, he worked his way by assisting at home during his leisure hours and working Saturdays. When eighteen years of age, having acquired a small amount of means, he started a grocery, which is now under the proprietorship of his only son, Roswell W. Driggs. His business prospered finely and assisted him greatly in the care of his father’s family, of which he had nearly the entire charge. As his financial abilities increased, Mr. Driggs purchased large quantities of real estate, of which a large part was village lots and upon which he has erected a number of buildings. At the present time, though over eighty years of age, he is personally superintending the erection of a half-dozen houses. In 1849, he was made Superintendent of thirty miles of the canal, and the annual expenses under his administration were cut down from $64,000 to $34,000, for running the boats and keeping the ditch in repair. After leaving the canal department, he took an interest in a warehouse in Buffalo, together with an interest in a line of fifteen boats, and at the same time dealt very heavily in cordwood and lumber. He also owned a grocery store on the dock, and a dry-goods store which was managed by his partner, while he looked after the other business; and he supplied the steamers with wood. During all this time he had kept business steadily moving in Tonawanda, and besides his grocery, also owned a dry-goods store, and for a time was proprietor of the Tonawanda House. After holding his interest in Buffalo three years, he sold out and, by the advice of his wife, decided to retire from active business life. Ease and retirement, however, were contrary to a nature such as his and brought on sickness, till by the advice of his physician he began active operations again and has from that time to this, been unceasingly employed superintending his varied interests. Mr. Driggs is a member of the Presbyterian church, and financially has not failed to remember the needs of his people. He is a staunch Republican, and during the Rebellion was an active supporter of the war measures. He has been married three times. His first wife Lucy Ann Wait, was married May 23, 1827, and died June 3, 1868, having had four children, of whom Roswell W. and Mrs. Amanda Karner are the only ones living. The two children who died were Urial B. and Aurora Polly Ann. His second wife Mrs. Anna Driggs died September 12, 1882. His third wife Mrs. Harriet S. Bedell, was the daughter of John Laflin, who removed from Connecticut to Vermont in 1820, when his daughter was fourteen years old. She was married in 1830 to Ira Bedell who came to New York and settled first in Tonawanda and subsequently on Grand Island. Mr. and Mrs. Driggs were married on St. Patrick's day, March 17, 1883, which is also her birthday. John Simson came with his father, Robert Simson, to Tonawanda, August 16, 1811. He was the first child and was born in Warren, N. Y., May 19, 1803. His ancestors migrated from Scotland to the north of Ireland in the days of William the Conqueror. Robert Simson was born May 30, 1727, and in 1761, came to America with his three children, Mary, James and John, and settled in New York. John Simson was born August 13, 1753, and March 26, 1778, married Jane Adams, by whom he had eleven children. He served seven years in the Revolutionary war, under Washington. His ancestors were wealthy and he inherited considerable property which was principally loaned to the Government, which returned for pay Continental script that was not redeemed during his lifetime. In 1816, he freed all his slaves. Robert, his only son, was born November 15, 1782. In 1810, he traveled through the western part of New York State in search of his future home, and in 1811, moved his family into the wilderness on a tract of land still retained by his descendants, and which is about a mile above the village of Tonawanda on Ellicott Creek. He was Captain during the War of 1812, and had charge of the guard-house, which was then the refuge for the town in times of trouble. He was a fine singer and was always buoyant and full of life, possessing those enjoyable qualities that make soldiers popular, and General Scott frequently visited him and was a great friend of his family. His wife, Lydia Moffitt, born September 15, 1784, and married April 8, 1802, was of Welsh descent and a strong adherent of the old English Church. In 1813, the British entered the village of Tonawanda and burned the guard-house and all the dwellings except one—the house of Mrs. Francis. She was upstairs, sick in bed and not able to flee with the others to the woods, and three times when her house was fired she crawled out of bed and downstairs and extinguished the flames. The consternation among the people was very great at this time, and Mrs. Simson, after burying her large kettle in the middle of Ellicott Creek, and marking the place, went east to a place then called Big Tree, in Genesee County, N. Y., where they remained until 1816. At the age of eighteen, Mr. John Simson sought a fortune for himself, and notwithstanding the adverse circumstances of the first few years of his life, under which he labored, has been eminently successful. He has always been prominent in business circles, and in church has been an official over sixty years. In April, 1834, he was married to Frances Long, whose married life of forty-seven years was terminated by her death, March 24, 1881. As they toiled through life and were blest, so they forgot not the wants of others, having bequeathed many thousands of dollars to their church, for the upbuilding of colleges and places of worship. Mr. Simson has repeatedly occupied positions of public trust in his town and county, and in the year 1872 he represented the Fourth Assembly district of Erie County in the State Legislature, where he was a prominent member of the Canal committee, and was one of those wise legislators who first advocated the doctrine of making the canals of the State free. Mr. Simson has always been connected with the lumber trade at Tonawanda village, and after some years of toil, succeeded in practically drawing the attention of the Cleveland Transportation company to Tonawanda, and secured for the village the obligation on their part, to build a dock, an elevator and warehouses, all of which they faithfully did. He has himself practically retired from business, but his sons-in-law, A. B. Williams and J. W. DeGraff are extensive lumber dealers.
Frontier Beer, label collection (1941).jpg
Includes Gold Label Beer, Dan Wertheimer's Old Stock Beer, Bison Pilsener Beer, Malz Brau and Old German labels.
Gazetteer and business directory of Niagara County for 1869 (Wheatfield excerpts) (1869).doc
From a collection accessed through FamilySearch.org. Includes a great ad for Tonawanda's "Vincent & McDougall, Receivers and Forwarders of Lumber, Timber, Staves, &c.", and Henry Frost of Somerset. [Partial AI transcription] WHEATFIELD. (Post Office Addresses in Parentheses.) ABBREVIATIONS.—R. Range; T. Township; M. R. Mile Reservation. Albricht, Fred., (Bergholtz,) shoemaker. Anders, Henry, (St. Johnsburgh,) lot 20, T. 12, R. 8, farmer 224½. Anderson, Mary Mrs., (Shawnee,) lot 10, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 96. Ayers, Arthur, (Tonawanda, Erie Co.,) lot 67, M. R., farmer 100. Ayers, Edward, (Tonawanda, Erie Co.,) (with Henry,) lot 66, farmer 134. Ayers, Henry, (Tonawanda, Erie Co.,) (with Edward,) lot 66, farmer 134. BACKER, CONRAD, (Tonawanda, Erie Co.,) prop. of Backer House. Bailey, Henry A., (Shawnee,) lot 9, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 184. Bare, Daniel, (Shawnee,) lot 10, T. 13, R. 8, farmer leases 50. Bare, Jonas, (Shawnee,) lot 18, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 50. Barnum, Heman A., (Shawnee,) lot 34, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 165. Basinbacker, Henry, (Martinsville,) lot 7, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 43. Batt, John, (Tonawanda, Erie Co.,) prop. Niagara River Mills. Baumann, Christian, (Martinsville,) lot 20, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 24. Baumhofer, Frederick, (Shawnee,) lot 34, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 50. Bece, Abram, (Bergholtz,) lot 22, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 115. Becke, Wm., (St. Johnsburgh,) lot 28, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 17. Beitz, John, (Martinsville,) lot 16, T. 12, R. 8, farmer 15. Beitz, Wm., (Martinsville,) lot 12, T. 12, R. 8, farmer 50. Belleng, Chas., (Martinsville,) lot 6, T. 12, R. 8, farmer 88. Bellhofer, George, (Tonawanda, Erie Co.,) lot 22, farmer 9. Belling, August, (Martinsville,) lot 12, T. 12, R. 8, farmer 10. Bennett, William C., (Sanborn,) lot 24, R. 8, T. 13, farmer 150. Bernt, August, (Martinsville,) lot 4, T. 15, R. 8, farmer 1. Bettle, Frederick, (St. Johnsburgh,) harness manuf. and farmer 10. Beutel, Christian, (Martinsville,) lot 12, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 50. Beutel, Christian Sen., (Martinsville,) lot 14, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 100. Beutel, Frederick, (Martinsville,) lot 14, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 75. Beutel, Wm., (Sanborn,) lot 44, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 50. BISHOP, FREDERICK, (Martinsville,) prop. of Martinsville Hotel, post master, auctioneer and coroner. Bishop, Frederick, (St. Johnsburgh,) lot 56, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 3. Bitack, Mrs., (St. Johnsburgh,) lot 28, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 13. Bloom, Christian, (Martinsville,) lot 15, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 54½. Bluhm, Christopher, (St. Johnsburgh,) lot \[unclear], T. 13, R. 8, farmer 20. Bluhm, Henry, (Bergholtz,) lot 42, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 9. Blumrech, Frederick, (Sanborn,) farmer 6. Bocherd, Frederick, (Martinsville,) lot 20, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 24. Boening, Christian, (Bergholtz,) lot 42, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 35. \[unclear], Wm., (Martinsville,) lot 12, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 53. \[unclear], Christian, (St. Johnsburgh,) lot 35, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 4. Brigg, Ira, (Shawnee,) lot 9, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 34½. Brocker, Chas., (Bergholtz,) lot 47, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 35. Brocker, Peter, (Bergholtz,) lot 37, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 40. BROENING, MAXAMILIAN, (Martinsville,) allop., physician and surgeon. Brown, F. P., (Tonawanda, Erie Co.,) lot 80, M. R., farmer leases 150. Burt, Wm., (Tonawanda, Erie Co.,) farmer \[unclear]. Bush, George, (Beach Ridge,) lot 15, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 75. Bush, Henry, (Martinsville,) lot 15, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 50. Bush, John, (Shawnee,) lot 15, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 71. Bush, Martin, (Beach Ridge,) lot 15, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 130½. Bush, Philip, (Beach Ridge,) lot 8, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 100. \[unclear], Peter, (Martinsville,) lot 20, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 12. Cable, Wm., (Bergholtz,) lot 47, T. 13, R. 8, farmer 75. Cammann, Charles, (Bergholtz,) wagon maker and farmer 13. Carney, James, (Tonawanda, Erie Co.,) supervisor. Carr, John, (Tonawanda, Erie Co.,) lot 12, T. 12, R. 8, farmer leases 117. Castelgon, Herman, (Martinsville,) lot 22, T. 12, R. 8, farmer 20.
White Star Hotel, seen from Tonawanda Power Co construction (HST, Archive P-2471, 1928-08-02)
From the collection of the Historical Society of the Tonawandas
Riverside Chemical Company, brochure (c.1958).jpg
NT Farmers Market (NTmarket.org, c.1911).jpg
Niagara Hudson News - Tonawanda, feature article (1947-05).jpg
Power company magazine features Tonawanda's (electricity-boosted) industrial reinvention and wartime conversion, with photos of Richardson boat cruising by power company building, Auto Wheel, Wurlitzer and more.
First North Tonawanda settler arrived in 1809, article (Niagara Falls Gazette, Clarence O. Lewis, 1965-03-10).pdf
Lumber City's early days noted, article (Clarence O. Lewis, Niagara Gazette, 1965-04-07).jpg
Frederick B. Durkee Memorial Bridge over the Tonawanda Harbor, history presentation (GPI, 2015).pdf
DeGraff expansion, photo (Tonawanda News, 1964-12-31).jpg
Police and T-NT streaker, photo (1979-11-17)
Sheriff Tyler warns Tonawanda officials to purge Goose Island at once or county will take hand, article and photos, transcribed (Buffalo Courier, 1925-06-11).pdf
Features photos of "disroderly" houses, and an aged Philip Perew. AI Transcription: **General view of Goose Island, Tonawanda.** Sheriff Tyler yesterday conferred with Mayor Warren and Chief of Police Ellicott of Tonawanda and informed them that reported vice conditions on Goose Island must be cleaned up immediately or he would go over their heads and take a hand himself. Chief Ellicott told the sheriff he would co-operate in the clean up, while Mayor Warren asserted he had no authority over the Tonawanda police department and therefore could do nothing. Tyler declared he found the chief of police non-committal regarding conditions on Goose Island. He said the chief feigned ignorance of widespread operations, which the sheriff characterized as "downright immoral." **Must Close Houses.** "I told Chief Ellicott I would wait a reasonable time for him to shut down the twenty or more houses of ill repute said to be open on Goose Island, but I would continue personal investigation of conditions. If there is no improvement within a few days, I will proceed to raid the district until it is absolutely clean. "Never has there been such flagrant activity as is apparent to everybody who visits the island. Women openly solicit on the streets, deputy sheriffs report. "There is no doubt Tonawanda officials have been lax in permitting such conditions to exist. The sheriff's office has been receiving numerous complaints about the island, and generally persons do not appeal to the sheriff for relief unless they have been turned down by local officials. I intend to investigate thoroughly every angle of the Goose Island district affair." Chief of Police Ellicott said he was not aware conditions on Goose Island were as bad as reported, but he would close down every place he found running in violation of the law. **Women Laugh at Cleanup.** A survey of Goose Island yesterday by a reporter revealed there are two streets in which nearly every house contains two or three women wearing gaudy dresses and having highly painted faces. The women make no secret of their business, and laugh at reports of the impending cleanup. Philip Perew, No. 46 Sweeney Street, North Tonawanda, who said he owned ten houses on the island, declared he rented them to reputable men or women for use as rooming places. He asserted the lodgers were men or women employed at the plants in the locality. Numerous drinkeries on the island are the chief spots of celebration during the week and on Saturday and Sunday nights. The largest crowds of men and women are said to come to the district on Saturday nights. During the past month there have been evenings when more than 500 persons visited the resorts. --- Let me know if you need any further assistance!
Beechwater, "The Haunted Camp," with 65th regiment, photo article detail (Buffalo Morning Express, 1893-06-25).jpg
Tonawanda Island settled in 1819, Mile Reserve lots, Daniel Webster - article and transcription (Clarence O. Lewis, Niagara Gazette, 1965-03-17).jpg
AI Transcription: --- **Niagara County History:** **Tonawanda Island Settled in 1819** **- IN THIS COLUMN last week we started a series of articles on North Tonawanda. It is our hope that when it completed it may be a concise history of that city which students may find useful in their studies of the Niagara Frontier.** **One aspect of Frontier history that should not be overlooked is that strip of land one mile wide along the Niagara River from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie originally belonging to New York State. "All titles to lots in that mile Reserve were traced back to 1805 when the State Land Office in Albany auctioned the deep lots. They were a mile long and a quarter mile wide. Lots one to 82 are now in Niagara County, and numbers 73 to 82 are in North Tonawanda. Curiously enough due to a lower water level in the river at present, the original lots have gained 10 feet or more in depth because when the Mile Reserve was first surveyed in 1788 the measurements were taken from the water's edge.** **In 1802 under orders from the Federal Government the commander of Ft. Niagara began preparations for the Military Road from Ft. Niagara to Lake Erie. Trees were cut from Lewiston Escarpment to Tonawanda Creek. A dispute between New York State and the Federal Government terminated the road building for a time.** **- LAST WEEK WE mentioned the first settlers and those few early village people from the Village of Niagara to Tonawanda seems to have been gradual progress. Postal records that the first post station there was designated as the P.O. Department by "Morgansville." This was in 1823.** **TONAWANDA ISLAND** **We have mentioned Tonawanda Island which originally "Mile Reserve" like the boundary belonged to New York state. In 1819 James Carly settled on the Island which then became generally known as Carney Island. He hoped to purchase it from the state at a very low price per acre. That was the middle of the settlement of the area incl. the Niagara River as the International boundary line. There had been some doubts as to whether England would yield any of the islands in the Niagara River since they had all been presented by the Johnsons in 1764 to Sir William Johnson whom immediately presented them to the King of England. However, Gen. Peter B. Porter, one of the American Commissioners, wired and com-** ---
Tonawanda Island, etching (Sangster, c.1887).jpg
History of Tonawanda Island - Douglas P. Taylor.doc
(Radio Show Script Third Draft) BY DOUGLAS P. TAYLOR The Beginnings: Tonawanda Island is an 85-acre island located in the East Branch of the Niagara River off the North Tonawanda shoreline. There is little recorded history about the island prior to the arrival of the French explorer LaSalle, who explored the upper Niagara River in 1669. 1. Original Inhabitants The original Native American inhabitants were the Neuter Indians, also known as the Attawandaron, who left two large mounds—roughly 20 ft high and 40 ft wide on Tonawanda Island. One mound was located on the south end of the island, and one on the north end. The Neuters were predominantly arms traders, selling flint arrowheads, hatchets, knives, and related goods to both the Canadian Hurons and the Iroquois on the U.S. side, along with various fur trade goods. There was also a Neuter mound on Grand Island across from Tonawanda Island. The mounds on Tonawanda Island were excavated by settlers in the period 1820‐1840, and no longer exist. Supposedly they contained many flint shards and some human bones. The Neuter's habit of trading with both the Iroquois and their enemy, the Hurons, angered the Iroquois. Historic Indian records state that the Neuters were “assimilated” by the Iroquois by 1651, which probably means the Neuters were massacred, given the times. The excavation of the Neuter mounds presents us with the first of the two great mysteries about Tonawanda Island. This first mystery is that of the Giant Skulls. Research by local historian and author Mason Winfield for his books about paranormal activity in Western New York turned up a story about two large and bizarre skulls found in one of the Neuter mounds on the island. Winfield relates that the skulls were not only larger than normal for a human but also had a “prominent protruding lower jaw and a canine‐like forehead.” No one seems to know what became of these skulls… 2. Early European Influence In the early 1700s, the French explorer Joncaire apparently purchased Tonawanda Island from the Indians. But Joncaire’s claim was extinguished during the French and Indian War, 1754‐1763, which was won by the British. Joncaire’s heirs tried to press their land claims, but the British had claimed the island as territory captured during the war and weren’t going to give it back. 3. American Revolution One would think that the American Revolution of 1775‐1783 would have settled once and for all the ownership of Tonawanda Island, but that was not the case—because another war occurred… 4. War of 1812 The War of 1812 with the British again saw all of Western New York up for grabs, and when the war ended, negotiations took many years to again place Tonawanda Island in the hands of New York. In 1822, New York’s Surveyor General, Simon DeWitt, offered Tonawanda Island for sale and the island was purchased in an auction in 1825 by one Samuel Leggett of New York City, for $1,400, with a down payment of $175 for the Island. Leggett also purchased a portion of Grand Island at the same time. Sam Leggett was a land speculator— and we would probably call him a real estate developer today. He was from New York City, where he was considered extremely wealthy. He was President of the first natural gas company founded in New York City—and his former company is now called Consolidated‐Edison. It was no coincidence that his purchase of the island in June of 1825 was followed by the opening of the Erie Canal in October of that year, essentially making the Tonawandas into a gateway city with access to vast timberlands of White Oak located across the river on Grand Island. Leggett had made an initial down payment of $175 for Tonawanda Island, with installment payments to be made afterwards for a total purchase price of $1,400. But by 1833, Mr. Leggett had made no additional payments, and sold both Tonawanda Island and much of Grand Island to Stephen White of the East Boston Timber Company of Massachusetts. Mr. White moved swiftly to reap profits from standing timber on Grand Island. He built a Lumber Mill, in a so-called company town that he named Whitehaven, followed by a shipyard, both sited near where the former Holiday Inn hotel is located on East River Road on Grand Island. On Tonawanda Island, he built a large, ornate mansion for himself—called Beechwater—on the north end of the island. Mr. White had political connections— In 1836, Mr. White’s daughter married Daniel Webster, famed US Senator and orator in a ceremony at the Beechwater mansion. Today, Webster Street in North Tonawanda bears his name. Mr. White was known for his lavish parties whenever the Whitehaven shipyard would launch a new vessel. He would bring guests in from what were then the Cities of Buffalo and Black Rock so they could watch the ship being launched—then retire to the Beechwater mansion for dinner and drinks. The launch ways for the shipyard at Whitehaven can still be seen today—when the water in the river is low and winds are calm, just downstream a bit from the present-day hotel. 5. Decline and Change By 1840, the timberlands on Grand Island were clearcut, and Mr. White’s East Boston Timber Company was unable to pay back the original investors. The company went bankrupt and Mr. White sold Tonawanda Island, along with his mansion, to one of his business managers, Jedediah Lathrop. This was not a clean sale since in the years he had lived here; White had married a local woman, Mary White, and the sale to Lathrop had a covenant that the sale of the island was contingent on payment of a $25,000 dowry, the equivalent of more than $600,000 today, to her. Mr. Lathrop could not pay the dowry, or his taxes, and the State of New York then seized the Island. Eventually, after several very contentious lawsuits, Mary White ended up owning the island for the remainder of her life. In 1866 Mary White’s estate sold the island to William Wilkeson of Buffalo, who renamed the Island and the former White mansion as Wilkenson’s Island and Wilkenson’s mansion. Mr. Wilkenson eventually sold the island to Smith and Fassett Lumber in 1882, who eventually sub‐divided the island. 6. Industrial Development and Transition Beginning in the 1880s, North Tonawanda transitioned its many lumber businesses from rough cutting of timber to making finished lumber products for building and home construction. Numerous lumber companies purchased sections of land on the island and set up their lumber mills and storage yards. Northern Lumber R.T. Jones Lumber Smith, Fassett & Company Doebler Planing Mill Twin City Lumber Company White, Frost, & White Lumber Island Box Company Silverthorne & Company Lumber J.A. McBurney Lumber Company The North Tonawanda Water Works opened on the Island in 1886, and rail service was added to the island for the benefit of the lumber mills, featuring a railway “swing” bridge. 7. Twentieth Century: Wars and Industrial Shifts As the lumber mills died out, new industries emerged. The Hill‐Madden Boat Works operated next to the railway bridge from roughly 1929‐1932, producing high‐speed boats for the U.S. Coast Guard during Prohibition. The Bison Shipbuilding Company was founded in 1941, building amphibious invasion craft for WWII. Post-war, the International Paper Company became a major employer but was notorious for pollution until it closed in 1976. The site was later transformed into a marina by Smith Boys Marine. Another longstanding business, International Fiber, founded in 1924, is now part of the J. Rettenmaier group, known for food additives derived from wood and other materials. 8. Modern Developments Taylor Devices, started by my father, Paul Taylor, has grown to be a major player in the manufacturing of shock absorbers for buildings, bridges, and spacecraft. Today, the island hosts diverse businesses including the Tonawanda Island Yacht Club and the Shores Restaurant. 9. Mysterious Events and Conclusion The old railway swing bridge, a relic of the island’s industrial past, mysteriously swung to an open position one night in the 1990s, never to close again, raising suspicions of paranormal activity. Today, despite some ongoing challenges, Tonawanda Island continues to be a vibrant part of the local community.
Cartor map of the Genesee, map (1798).jpg
Buffalo Bolt and environs, aerial photo (From War Effort magazine, c.1945).jpg
Also shows East Ave, Buffalo Pumps, a few gardens, Oliver Street, Oliver Street Hotel. In the distance: Tonawanda Iron Works and slips that are now Raymond P. Klimek Veterans park / Fisherman's Park, former Gratwick slip boathouses,
Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. Annual Dinner, Chicago, photo (1943-05-07).jpg
Employees working, Wurlitzer?, photo (from Deborah Gallagher Marshall, c.1945).jpg
Employees eating, Wurlitzer?, photo (from Deborah Gallagher Marshall).jpg
Costly parsonage for Father Letocha, article (Tonawanda News, 1910-07-21).jpg
Gliderole, Buffalo Sled Company, photo (c.2023).jpg
Buffalo Sled C., Gliderole, postcard (c1918).jpg
Auto Wheel Coaster, No. 2, photo (c. 2024).jpg
Auto Wheel, The Day after Christmas, ad (1919).jpg
North Tonawanda, description (Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Niagara County, New York, 1892 (pp.108-110).jpg
Tonawanda Island description, N. P. Willis (Ephemera, Complete Works of N. P. Willis, c. 1850), transcription.jpg
Apropos—I observe a spot advertised for sale that I have always looked upon as the most beautiful and aristocratic property in this country—an island cradled by the Niagara, and in itself the best cradle nature could possibly form for the family of a luxurious exclusive. It is about eleven miles above the falls, an arrow-shot from the American shore (with Grand island between it and the Canadas), and contains a hundred acres of land, charmingly wooded and varied, which have been turned into a paradise by one of the most refined gentlemen of this country. A beautiful villa crowns it, and baths, hot-houses, and all appliances to luxury, are there, and all fenced in by the bright water about to rush over Niagara. The island is called Tonawanda—a delicious word for the name of a home. One sighs to think that a little money could buy such a paradise for one’s own.
Acres burned, Weston, article (Lockport Journal, 1894-12-24).jpg
Under martial law - The state of affairs in the Tonawandas, article with photos, transcription (Buffalo Morning Express, 1893-06-25)
The dispute between unionizing lumber shovers and lumber men has boiled over. Peacekeepers are billeted at the former Stephen White mansion on Tonawanda Island. They (and the press) take to calling the abandoned old building "Camp Haunted." [Transcriptions by AI] **THE LUMBER WAR** **UNDER MARTIAL LAW.** **The State of Affairs in the Tonawandas.** **SCENES ON THE DOCKS.** Photographic Evidence of the Military Occupation of the Big Lumber Suburb The Haunted Camp - The Labor Situation. Buffalo's great lumber suburb of Tonawanda has had a week of military rule. The difficulties between the union and non-union men employed in unloading lumber became so threatening that on the 17th inst. President Stanley of North Tonawanda issued a proclamation warning all persons against assembling for unlawful purposes or disturbing the peace. The Tonawanda and Niagara Falls militia, which had been called out were relieved on Sunday by the 65th Regiment from Buffalo, who have since been on guard. Up to present writing there has been no outbreak, but the presence of the troops is considered necessary to protect the non-union men from assault and intimidation by the union men. A few pictures in this issue give some idea of the state of affairs early in the week. Some of the yards and docks were idle and deserted. At others, the work of unloading barges was carried on slowly by green hands. Everywhere the blue-coats were on guard. The headquarters of the 65th Regiment was at Smith & Fassett's lumber office on Tonawanda Island, the old White Mansion at the head of the island being turned into barracks for the soldiers. This house is one of the historic landmarks on the Niagara. It was built in 1833 by one Stephen White, at a cost of $15,000. The place was called Beechwater, and commanded a beautiful river view. The woodwork is of solid cherry and black walnut, and the marble mantels were imported from Italy. Mr. White's daughter married Fletcher Webster, son of Daniel Webster, and a grand bridal reception was given them in this house. Daniel Webster and other celebrities were frequent visitors, and N.P. Willis has described the place in his writings. After passing through several hands the property was bought, with the rest of the island, by Smith & Fassett, and has long stood empty among the piles of lumber which cover the once beautiful lawn. In some way the place gained the pleasant reputation of being haunted. That it has not lacked for spirits the past week, one picture bears evidence. Fifteen years ago, when a few struggling mill owners and lumbermen of Tonawanda applied to the Federal Government for an appropriation of $10,000 towards dredging the harbor, they were put to a good deal of inconvenience, delay and trouble to convince the Washington legislators that there was such a place as Tonawanda on the map. And the New-York Sun reviled the lawmakers, charging them with gross ignorance in possessing so little knowledge of their own country as not to know something of "the second largest lumber city in the world." For many years Tonawanda struggled against difficulties of all sorts and it was not until the organization of the Lumbermen's Exchange Association in 1873 that any facilities were afforded the lumbermen. The railroads did not care to handle their lumber and the rates were excessive. There were no such cars as the lumber cars of today. One length of 12-foot lumber filled a car and 8,000 feet was a load. To Paterson, N.J., a great market then, as it is yet, the rate was $70 a car. The present rate is about $25 for a carload of 15,000 or 16,000 feet. Dockage was limited to 100 feet in 1873; now there are six miles of the finest docks on the lakes, with a harbor that is unsurpassed. The Hon. John Simson established a sawmill and planing mill at Tonawanda in 1840 and laid the foundation of the Lumber City. Progress was slow, however, and it was only with the revival of business after the War that the town became a lumber center of importance. Statistics prior to the organization of the Lumber Exchange cannot be obtained. Since 1873, however, the growth of the lumber trade at this point has been enormous. that year the receipts by lake transportation were 104,000,000 feet. These figures steadily increased until 1880 when the lake receipts reached a total of 718,650,000. The railroads also brought in over 35,000,000 feet, making a grand total of 753,672,000 feet of lumber brought into the Lumber City in one season. During the same year Tonawanda lumbermen imported 52,232,300 shingles and the local mills manufactured 100,000,000 more, one mill turning out 62,000,000. The lake receipts included, also, 13,000,000 pieces of lath. The number of vessels reporting was 909. Since 1880, the receipts have fallen off very considerably, and various reasons are alleged by different men as the cause. Some attribute it to a general depression in the trade. the country. Others declare, without any hesitation, that the lumbershovers' strikes have unsettled the lumber business of the city and that the present retrogression will continue until the difficulty is settled upon a basis (Continued on page 8.) -- [Page 13:] **More Fights.** **Tonawanda Lumber-Shovers Out for Blood.** A Party of Buffalo-club Men Figure as Rescuers of One Attacked Gang. **Ran for Their Lives.** One Crowd of Union Men Stoned a Party of Soldiers and Were Arrested at the Point of the Bayonet—A Member of an Attacked Party Who Fired a Revolver Arrested and Sentenced to the Erie-county Penitentiary—The Union Repudiates the Agreement to Settle. The Tonawandas may yet be in a greater state of siege than they have experienced so far. As reported in The Express yesterday, a settlement had been reached, through the mediation of a citizens' committee, and it was supposed the lumber-handling troubles, which have existed all the season, would be at an end and that the men would go to work tomorrow. Yesterday, however, the Lumber-shovers' Union repudiated the agreement, and now the situation threatens to become worse than ever. The lumber-dealers are not likely to listen to any further arguments in behalf of their locked-out employees, who by reason of the desperation of the latter will carry them only the future can tell. If yesterday's events are any indication, very severe measures will be necessary before the lumber business can be safely carried on in the Tonawandas. The talk of removing the yards to Buffalo is again revived. If this should be done, it would be a blow from which the twin villages would not speedily recover. The lumbermen say they will at once secure the necessary forces from Buffalo and Pittsburg to handle their lumber this season and will let the Tonawanda union men sit out in the sun. With the permanent introduction of a large foreign laboring element in the Tonawandas the material for frequent and serious rows between employed and unemployed will be right at hand. Three quite serious fights occurred yesterday, in all of which union men were aggressors. In one of them a party of Buffalo-club men figured as rescuers. All talk of withdrawing the troops already on the scene is abandoned, to the disappointment of the soldiers, who were joyfully anticipating a speedy return to their homes. Sheriff Beck has come to the conclusion that everything is not as quiet and peaceful at the Tonawandas as he had supposed, and he may see the justice of the demand of the lumber-dealers of Tonawanda that they be given the same adequate protection that the dealers of North Tonawanda have been given by the Sheriff of Niagara County, who, a week ago called for military aid. When informed last night of the afternoon's fights and the indications for more trouble, he expressed the intention of swearing in a lot of deputy sheriffs. If he can get men he can rely upon, he will be content with their aid; if not, he may call out the militia. There are now four barges untouched and a half dozen partly unloaded. Six more are expected to arrive tomorrow. -- **Starting the Fight.** Union Men Were the Aggressors—Four of Them Arrested—One of the Assailed Also Fined. Special to The Buffalo Express. North Tonawanda, June 24.—This afternoon, about 5 o'clock, a canal-boat gang, having finished loading a boat, were returning home down North Canal Street. They were set upon by the following union men: Ben Robbins, Ike Chamberlin, Ed. Summers and Billy Goodwin, who grabbed Meader Beardback about the neck and exclaimed: "You're the man we want!" They threw him down and began pounding and kicking him. Beardback is the non-union man who punished union man named Bye last season so severely. Daniel Miller of Adam Street, with his son John, was working in this gang. He used his dinner-pail as a weapon and tried to help Beardback, but was set upon by the union men, who knocked him down and kicked him in the face several times. He called to his son, who had a revolver, but the young man, instead of giving it to his father, fired one shot and then rushed down the street toward Scrifner's yard, where he found Deputy-Sheriff Peters, who came to the relief of the assaulted men. The four attackers were arrested at once and taken before Justice Rogers, who sentenced Ben Robbins to 90 days in the Erie-county Penitentiary and fined Chamberlin, Summers and Goodwin $20 each. The union men began the row by yelling at them and throwing stones, and told Miller if he went to work again they would kill him and burn his house. Robbins told young Miller to "fire away;" he wasn't afraid. Soon after, another fight occurred. This time on the south side of the canal and near the union headquarters. James Halliway, a union moulder from Buffalo, was standing near the entrance to St. Louis Hall and somehow enraged a union man, who at once assaulted him, aided by several others. They kicked him in the face after he was down, and he then got away. Union men had young Miller arrested for firing the revolver while union men were assaulting his father. He was taken before Justice W. J. Rogers at 9.30 o'clock this evening and fined $30 and sentenced to 60 days imprisonment in the Erie-county Penitentiary. The charge against him was carrying concealed weapons. -- **Racing for Life.** Sixty Strikers Pursue 28 Poles Up the Canal—Rescued by a Buffalo-Club Excursion. Special to Buffalo Express. Tonawanda, June 24.—Strikers tonight, maddened by the summary punishment meted out to their men in the afternoon, boldly attacked a body of Poles who had been unloading lumber, wounded two with stones and went so far as to fire revolvers, but without hitting anyone. Deputy sheriffs were at the scene of the attack, but were powerless against the infuriated men. Law and order were openly and boldly defied. A body of 28 Poles had been taken down from Buffalo in the morning by Fassett & Bellinger. All day they worked on the river unloading boats. At 6 o'clock a tug was to take them back to the mainland and they were promised protection to the station, where they expected to catch the 6.20 train back to Buffalo. Six o'clock came, the boats they were at work on was unloaded, but no tug appeared. Deputy-Sheriffs James Willis, William Katzel, William Egenbrod and Samuel Hoffman were with the Poles and telephoned for the tug. Time went on, darkness fell and the Poles began to shake and shiver in their boots. Visions of rocks and bullets crazed their minds and they demanded to be taken to Buffalo. So the deputies started with them to walk, as there was not one seat in the entire party of laborers. Peacefully they went their way for a mile and a half up the towpath towards Buffalo. Not a striker was in sight. The way was as deserted as a Western prairie. Thinking the danger line had been passed and nothing was to be feared, the deputies wished the Poles bon voyage and turned back. But they had gone barely 100 rods. When the strikers came down upon them. Across the canal, along the river road, at least 60 strikers were in hot pursuit of the Poles. On they came on horseback, in buggies, spring-wagons, on bicycles and on foot. The Poles had seen their danger and away they went, running for dear life. After them started the deputies on a run. But the Poles had a long lead and were spurred on by fear. For a mile the wild race was on, the Poles on the towpath with the deputies following, the strikers on the river road. It is only a stone's throw across the canal, and all the time after the strikers came up with the frightened Poles a running fire of stones was kept up. Three pistol shots were fired, but no one was hit. One Pole was hit in the back by a stone and another on the hand. After a mile of this mad race, the deputies reached a lock and hailed a passing tug. Detectives Willis and Katzel boarded her and steamed after the Poles. Two more miles the race was run, and finally, the Poles were cornered. A bridge crosses the canal at this point, and over it poured the strikers. The Poles took to the river and crowded on to a raft of logs, where they were at the mercy of their enemies for nearly 15 minutes. A great deal of shouting and cursing was done, but no actual hostilities had broken out when the tug with the deputies on board reached the scene. For some time a party of 45 Buffalo-club men on the steamer Riverside had been witnesses of the unequal contest. They had been down the river on an excursion and were returning when they saw a motley crew of men plunging along the towpath waving dinner pails and gesticulating frantically. In another minute a cloud of dust appeared and out of it issued men on horseback and on foot in hot pursuit of the first lot. The riders were firing revolvers and the footmen picking up stones and flinging them. It did not take long to see what it all meant. The boat came to a stop just as the Poles took to the raft of logs. The leaders began to wave for the boat to come in, but the water was too shallow and she had to lie off. But just in the nick of time the tug with the deputies came up. It was plain sailing then. The tug steamed to the raft and took off the Poles, who were transferred to the Riverside, the strikers were left to curse and the party of Buffalo-club men and Poles started for Buffalo, the tug returning to Tonawanda. Never did a Buffalo-club man or anyone else see such a badly scared lot of Poles as these. Some were trembling like leaves, others offered up prayers of thanks for their deliverance; and it was a deliverance from what might have been death. At Amherst Street the Poles were landed and, given their street-car fares for their homes in East Buffalo. But before they left they heartily thanked their deliverers. Thirty-eight Poles had started from Tonawanda, but the count on arrival at Buffalo showed only 33. The last seen of the missing men they were running across the bridge when the strikers had crossed and were making for the open country. -- **Stoning the Guard.** Four Union Men Arrested at the Point of the Bayonet and Placed in the Guard-house. Special to The Buffalo Express. Camp Haunted, North Tonawanda, June 24.—In the camp there has been excitement, too. Last night four union men spent the night in the guard-house. They were stoning the guard about a barge that was being unloaded, and were arrested at the point of the bayonet. They showed fight, and one had his clothes ripped open by a bayonet. Corporal Morrison had charge of the squad which made the arrest. --- **No Settlement.** The Union Yesterday Refused to Sign the Agreement—Lumbermen Are Disgusted. Special to The Buffalo Express. North Tonawanda, June 24.—Last night's work undid the settlement between the lumbermen and the union lumber-shovers, which was supposed to be final. Today a settlement was looked for in vain. The lumbermen signed the proposed contract, but the union refused because last evening after certain advice, said to emanate from Matt Scanlon, they decided to stick to the union. The contract read as follows: This agreement, made this 24th day of June, 1883, between the citizens and a committee of men representing the members of the Lumber-shovers' Protective Union of the one part and the Tonawanda Lumbermen's Association of the other part, witnesseth as follows: That in consideration of a proposition made by John W. Robinson (this was given in yesterday's Express), the members of the Tonawanda Lumber-shovers' Protective Union hereby agree to disband immediately their organization and to accept the proposition of the said John W. Robinson, and they will faithfully perform the work that he may have for them; they also agree to form themselves into 12 gangs of 30 men each, and from the 30 men in each gang the said John W. Robinson shall select a foreman for each gang. It is further agreed that the members of each gang shall sign a contract as individuals with John W. Robinson, and it is further agreed that the foreman of each gang shall furnish a satisfactory bond to the said John W. Robinson in the sum of $500. It is further agreed that the contract shall be signed by the executive committee and the officers and board of directors of the Lumber-shovers' Protective Union of the one part and by the president and secretary of the Tonawanda Lumbermen's Association of the other part. The contract to be binding as soon as all the above conditions are complied with. This was signed by the lumbermen, but the union men, who held off all day, announced at 4 p.m. that they had changed their minds. They then held another excited special meeting, closing about 5 o'clock, at which time it was decided they had voted "No." They said they would stick to the union if they never got work. These are the same men who accepted one proposition so willingly yesterday. It is because of such unreliability that the lumbermen dare not trust the union to control their lumber-handling exclusively. The lumbermen say that they pay heavy taxes and know how to run their business better than the lumber-shovers and that these union men have forfeited all right to work on the docks. They say they have made it possible for these laboring men to buy homes and raise their families and that this sentiment about their grinding the union men down and asking them to disband their union out of spite is all misrepresentation. They have tried the union thoroughly and found it wanting and its members irresponsible, therefore they cannot afford to give in to them and thus ruin their business. It is quite probable now that the lumbermen will have no more to do with the union men and will at once engage outside men for the rest of the year. The citizens' committee, after laboring two days to bring about a settlement, came to the conclusion of the lumbermen, that the union could not be depended upon and gave up the work in disgust. Up to this time they had been in sympathy with the union. President William L. Cramer of the Lumber-shovers Union was seen at St. Louis Hall tonight. He stated in answer to the question by The Express reporter that the men were willing to abandon the union as a lumber-shovers' organization but they positively refused to abandon the benevolent feature. "We will go to work at once as individuals," said he, "but we will not give up our insurance. The lumbermen have had the rope way out and now they want to pull it away from us entirely." A. A. Bellinger of the firm of Bellinger & Fassett said tonight: "I do not believe the union men should be asked to give up the benevolent feature of their order. I would be willing to join that part of it tomorrow. They are a lot of good fellows and bright men among the lumber-shovers."
Tonawanda Island, Its Origins and Early Occupants, article and transcription (Buffalo Courier, 1887-10-09).jpg
TONAWANDA ISLAND. Its Origin and Early Occupants, Both Red and White. The Famous Murder of One of Its Owners. His Successor's Elegant Mansion, now in Ruins. The Popular Name of One of Its Occupants—White—Webster's Visit. “Ni-ga-we-nah-ha-ba,” signifying "small island," is the name the Senecas gave to Tonawanda Island, which has since been known as White's Island and Wilkeson Island. Over forty years ago N. P. Willis drew this graceful pen-sketch of the little island: "I observe a spot advertised for sale that I have always looked upon as the most beautiful and attractive property in this country, an island cradled by the Niagara, and in itself the best cradle nature would possibly form for the family of a luxurious exclusive. It is about eleven miles above the falls, an arrow-shot from the American shore, with Grand Island between it and the Canadas and contains a hundred acres of land, charmingly wooded and varied, which have been turned into a paradise by one of the most refined gentlemen of this country. A beautiful villa crowns it, and bath-houses and all appliances to luxury are there fenced in by the bright water about to rush over Niagara. The island is called Tonawanda, a delicious word for the name of home. One sighs to think that a little money could buy such a paradise for one's own." Tonawanda Island was once part of the main land, forming a peninsula jutting out sharply into the river, with Tonawanda creek running diagonally across it and emptying into what is now the west channel. The action of the great floods of ice in winter and spring, with the strong current, gradually forced a new channel through this peninsula, cutting off the creek and forming a fresh waterway known as Tonawanda harbor. Evidence of this is the low ground crossing the island in direct line with Tonawanda creek. Here the soil is quicksand to a depth of twelve feet, having high banks of gravel on each side with different strata, indicating beach lines, thus proving that the low strip of land was once the bed of a stream now filled up with sand. In the autumn of 1833 Stephen White of Salem, Mass., Lewis F. Allen of Buffalo and other gentlemen bought 16,000 acres of land on Grand Island, or nearly the entire island, which contains some 17,381 acres. The purchase included Tonawanda, Cayuga, and Beaver Islands. A mill for sawing timber was erected on Grand Island. "When I took possession of Tonawanda Island in the autumn of 1833," said Lewis F. Allen in a recent conversation, "it was heavily wooded in native forest, excepting five acres in cultivation at the head of the island, where was a log cabin in which I found a family named Carney. Judging by the appearance of the premises, some one had occupied this cabin for many years. A fine wild grove of trees stood on the upper or south end of the island. A clean, pebbly shore tapered into the water, and it was in its wild state a beautiful place and wonderfully rich in its growth of native trees, shrubbery, flowering and other native plants. A learned botanist, one day, passing over and through the island and its borders, told me it was the richest in its botany of any place he had ever seen of like territory or indeed of any spot he knew." The island had been an occasional camping ground of the Senecas before their final settlement of the region. Philip Kenjockey claimed to have been born there while his father's family, then living on the Genesee, were on one of their annual hunting expeditions. "When we bought the island," continued Mr. Allen, "an Indian burial mound, many feet high, stood a little distance to the south of the cabin, and near it was a fine white Doyenne (Vigalieuse) pear tree, which bore excellent fruit." Harper’s Magazine, Volume XX. (May, 1860) has an article upon "Ancient Monuments in the United States," at the head of which is a view of the mound on Tonawanda Island. E. G. Squier, the author of the article and a distinguished writer on antiquities whose works have been published by the Smithsonian Institute, excavated the mound, which he says was originally fifteen feet high. Fragments of human bones and pottery and Indian relics, but not in great quantity, were found. It is supposed that they were deposited by members of a tribe of the Neuter nation, or Kakquahs, the original inhabitants of this region, dispossessed by the Iroquois. "We shall endeavor," says one of the present owners of the island in speaking of the mound, "to keep the inroads of business from encroaching upon the interesting relic, which at the apparent age of many of the trees near its apex, would indicate, must have been raised many hundred years ago." James Carney, an octogenarian of Tonawanda, whose father is referred to by Mr. Allen, says that the first white man who lived on the island was John P. Martin, who occupied a board shanty there in 1818. He also says that his father, Edward Carney, went there in 1816 and remained nine years, and that afterwards another member of the family, Samuel Carney, occupied the cabin. "The island," says James Carney, "was at this time owned by New York State, which in 1825, at Albany, sold it to Samuel Leggett." Those familiar with Maj. Noah's great and often described scheme of founding on Grand Island, opposite Tonawanda, a city of refuge for the Jews, will recognize in the name of Samuel Leggett the friend whom Maj. Noah induced to buy the land on which to rear his proposed city of Ararat. Daniel Webster's eloquent argument on the trial of John Francis Knapp for the murder of Joseph White of Salem is famous among the brilliant efforts of the statesman's life. The description of the murder in the old man's bed-chamber is one of the most thrilling, realistic pictures that Webster's vivid imagination and his eloquence ever painted. Yet who in recalling Stephen White, the owner of Tonawanda, or White's Island, thinks of associating him with the Salem murder case, than which more extraordinary crime never occurred in this country? Nor is it equaled in strange interest by any trial in the French "Causes Celebres" or the English "State Trials." It will be remembered that Joseph White, a wealthy retired merchant of Salem, aged eighty-two, was found murdered in his bed in his Mansion on the morning of April 7, 1830. The perpetrator of such an atrocious crime in the most populous and central part of Salem, and in the most compactly built street, and under circumstances indicating the utmost coolness, deliberation, and audacity aroused the whole community. All citizens were led to fear that the same fate might await them in the helpless hours of slumber, and for days persons passing through the streets might hear the continual sound of the hammer, while carpenters and smiths were fixing bolts to doors and fastenings to windows. The mystery which surrounded the murder seemed impenetrable, but gradually, through a course of circumstances—for information as to which those unfamiliar with the history of the case should turn to Daniel Webster’s collected writings—Richard Crowninshield was arrested as the actual assassin, and Joseph J. Knapp, Jr., and John Francis Knapp as his accomplices. Richard Crowninshield hanged himself in jail, and the execution of John Francis Knapp and Joseph J. Knapp, Jr. closed the tragedy, the former having in vain tried by pseudonymous letters to direct public suspicion towards the Hon. Stephen White, who was Joseph White’s nephew and legatee. The Hon. Stephen White, who thus fell heir to the large estate, had always lived near the sea. He loved the water and the delights of a country home. Having, as just stated, become with Mr. Allen and others joint possessor of Tonawanda Island, he wished to buy out the rest and become its sole owner. "We accordingly let him have it," said Mr. Allen, "at the same rate we had paid for the entire purchase, namely, about $10 an acre." One can readily infer too, having become so notorious in connection with the Salem murder case, that the idea of a lodge on a secluded island in the beautiful Niagara appealed to him with irresistible force. Mr. White chose the upper end of the island, having a fine, breezy elevation above the surface of the river, for the site of his house "Beachwater." The house was begun in 1837 and is said to have been finished in a year. It cost $15,000, at that period a large and unusual sum for a private residence. While in progress parties from Buffalo were made up for a trip to the island to view the wonderful house. Mr. White spared no expense to make the house substantial. The wood work was bought and fashioned in Boston and shipped from there in a completed state, the inside finish being all heavy black walnut and cherry. The brick walls were two feet thick. The timbers were very heavy and every part of the building was of like solidity and elegance. Marble mantels were imported from Italy and are said to have been the first Italian marble used in this part of the country. Mr. White's daughter married Fletcher Webster, Daniel Webster's son, and a large wedding reception was afterwards held in the mansion, at which were present many notable men and women. Stephen White was a man of generous hospitality and of wide and distinguished social connection, and thus it came to pass that no house in this region has entertained a greater number of distinguished visitors. Webster street in Tonawanda village was doubtless named for Daniel Webster, who was a frequent guest of Mr. White's. Mr. Theodores S. Fassett has in his possession a letter written by Mr. White in 1839 inviting a friend, Mr. William Vandervoort of Tonawanda, to call that day at "Beachwater" and meet Governor William L. Marcy, author of the famous phrase, "To the victors belong the spoils," usually attributed to Jackson. Mr. White occupied his mansion on Tonawanda, or as he preferred to call it, White's Island, more or less until 1862, when he moved to New York city, where he died "I think in the summer of that year or in '63," said Mr. Allen. Mr. William Wilkeson bought Tonawanda Island for $12,000 of Stephen White's widow, who received it from her husband, whose second wife she was, as a marriage bond. She was a large, handsome woman, the widow of a ship captain named Mathews. Her mother kept a boardinghouse at Corlears Hook, then upper New York. Mr. Wilkeson owned the island fifteen years, calling it Wilkeson Island. When he took it, about twenty-five acres had been cleared. He extended this to some sixty acres, virtually clearing the whole, but leaving a thick screen of trees around the edge so that from any point on the river or mainland the island still looked like a forest. It was Mr. Wilkeson's pride to say that he had planted on the island every shade tree that would grow in our climate. He had fine fruit orchards and an extensive vineyard. Some forty or fifty bottles of choice wine made from the grapes of this famous vineyard are stored away in the wine cellar of one of the older residents of Buffalo and are said to improve with age. Sometimes in ploughing traces of the former possessors of the soil would be turned up in the shape of flint arrow heads. A good sized cannon ball, found in the orchard, is in the possession of Mr. John Wilkeson. How it came to be on the island is something of a mystery, since no battle is known to have been fought there. This year in excavating and grading the high ground many human bones and skulls were upturned. They were so far decayed that they crumbled instantly on exposure to the air. Another cannon ball was also dug up two or three feet below the surface. Mr. Wilkeson bored a well, presumably in the hope of finding salt. At a depth of 130 feet he abandoned the search, and the well today is filled with water to the surface. Gas strong enough to ignite now forces its way through the water from a depth of 400 feet. Unlike Mr. White, Mr. Wilkeson did not make the island his summer home. He used to spend two or three days at a time in the mansion, however, and spared no labor or expense to beautify the land. One day meeting Mr. Wilkeson in Tonawanda, Urial Briggs said: "Well, Mr. Wilkeson, what are you doing now with your island?" "Well, I don't hardly know what I am doing," replied Mr. Wilkeson. "Well, I guess you're spending a good deal of money on it," said Briggs. "That's just what I bought it for," replied Mr. Wilkeson. Perceiving in 1886 the commercial advantage of owning an island with 12,000 feet of available water front on a great harbor, Mr. James R. Smith and Mr. Theodore S. Fassett jointly bought Wilkeson Island, the price paid being $45,000. They have since invested fully as much more in improvements. To accommodate present tenants 5,000 feet of water front has been docked, and to meet future requirements the owners will continue docking around the island at least 5,000 feet further. Twenty acres at the upper end of the island, on which stands the mansion, will be left for residence purposes, in its natural state, and certainly no finer outlook or more beautiful site for a villa is to be found in this neighborhood. The mansion is now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore S. Fassett, who have renovated it and thoroughly restored its decaying beauties. Smith & Fassett secured from the state and United States charters for a railroad and highway bridge. Under these charters, the New York Central & Hudson River railroad, appreciating the business facilities to be developed, built a substantial bridge to the island and have laid railroad tracks to the several lumber yards and factories there. Among these, as mentioned in The Courier of last Sunday, is the box factory of E. H. Barnes of New York, the largest devoted to box making in the world. The sagacity of the New York Central railroad has given it the lead in securing the large amount of business that will inevitably take shape on this nearly 100 acres of land with but two miles of water front. According to the provisions of the charter, however, all other roads are allowed the use of the railroad bridge on equal terms of toll. The Tonawanda city water works are on the island, pumping water from the west channel, which is pure and free from all village drainage, and with their Holly system furnishing fire protection that is unequaled by any other system. The shape of the island is remarkably adapted for lumber yards, giving straight stretches of dock frontage with 450 to 500 feet of area in depth, a combination which is rarely found in districts devoted to lumber. "From time to time," says one of the present owners of the island, "as we have ordered the felling of grand old trees to make room for the more practical objects of our investment, I have felt a tinge of remorse. But if, for the profit and enjoyment of those trading in our market, we are enabled to combine business advantages with the beautiful in nature, I shall not permanently regret transforming Tonawanda Island, cradled in the mighty Niagara, from a sylvan retreat to a scene of traffic, with its railroads and bridges, its docks, factories and lumber-yards, giving employment to many hundreds of men."
No longer roam house - White mansion torn down, article, transcription (Tonawanda News, 1907-04-08).jpg
NO LONGER ROAM HOUSE Ghosts of the Haunted White Mansion Are Now Without a Home. BUILDING IS TORN DOWN Historic Landmark Where Daniel Webster Spent His Honeymoon Razed to the Ground to Make Way for Business. Workmen today are removing the last of the stone and brick foundation of the old White mansion on Tonawanda Island, one of the most interesting of the historic landmarks of the Niagara Frontier. Around the ruins of the old building for the past quarter of a century have clustered a wealth of traditions and romances, and each year's added age has not detracted from the glamor of the tales evolving from its mystic past. It was here that Daniel Webster spent his honeymoon, and within its walls some of the wealthiest of the middle century Americans were entertained with a lavishness that put to shame the social functions at the national capital. In place of the lumber piles and norway alleys that now surround the site, were 50 years ago, and as late as 1850, vineyards of grapes and orchards of peaches, apples and pears. The house was built as the summer home of Stephen White of Boston, Mass., who was president of the Boston Timber Company, and the first lumberman of the Tonawandas. His company owned and operated the first gang saw mill on the river, located opposite the head of the island on Grand Island. Ruins of the docks are still to be seen. The White house is torn down to make room for lumber operations on Tonawanda Island. It was sold last fall to the North Lumber Company by Smith, Bassett and Company. The building was in a fair state of preservation, but increased business demanded its removal. Of late years the place has been known as "The Haunted House," and no families have lived there for about 15 years. Hair-raising tales are told of ghosts who shrieked through the corridors of the building, and ghastly stories related of babes that died at midnight. Sober minds said the noises were the winds howling down the big chimneys to the fire places, with which every room was provided. White was a lavish entertainer. Besides many prominent Buffalonians and New Yorkers, he had as his guest on several occasions, Daniel Webster. During one of his visits, Webster delivered a political address from a stage built beside the general store on Grand Island, then conducted by Vandervoort, White & Ward of Buffalo. The senior member of the firm was an uncle to Jackson Vandervoort, one of North Tonawanda's oldest residents, who was among those in Webster's audience. It was on one of Daniel Webster's visits to the White house that Webster Street was named after him. ---
Vandervoorts of Sweeney Street, three articles by Jane R. Penvose, transcriptions (Tonawanda News, 1982-05-28).jpg
Vandervoorts of Sweeney Street Miss Sarah Vandervoort, age 75, was more than annoyed that September of 1882. A half-sunken canal boat lay in Tonawanda Creek across from her home on Sweeney Street and had been there for some time. "The rafts of timber were bad enough. They were permitted to float sometimes for months, collecting and becoming a great deal of debris, 'nuisance material,' making the air very disagreeable, indeed." Miss Vandervoort complained "loudly and justly" to The Herald which duly reported the above. Sarah's residence stood on Sweeney Street, just left of the center of the Packet Inn's main structure today. It was a large, brick building which Tonawandans referred to as a "mansion." Built in 1836 by her brother, William Vandervoort, it was where he lived with his family, including his mother and his sister Sarah, until his death 22 years later in 1858. Sarah Vandervoort lived in the mansion alone, except for a servant or two, for 30 years following her brother's death. Old maps show the brick building to have been an imposing place. One-and-a-half story wings projected from each side of the main structure which was two-and-a-half stories high. A long, brick, one-story extension ran off the back of the east wing at a very slight angle to the left, directly adjacent to a lane which ran from Sweeney to Tremont Street. The Vandervoorts were a pioneer family of the Tonawandas. The first residents of what was to become the village of North Tonawanda were William Vandervoort, Col. John Sweeney, and the latter's brother-in-law John Vandervoort. Col. John Sweeney, and the latter's brother-in-law John Vandervoort. George Goundry, the uncle of John's first wife, owned three-fourths of the land within what would become the village limits. The older sister of William and Sarah Vandervoort was Moiah Sweeney, the wife of James. Both the Sweeney and the Vandervoort families had come from Mahopac Falls in Putnam County, north of New York City. They came from an area described as "rolling and hilly, with intervening valleys...and several beautiful lakes and ponds." They came to a region of the lake plains, the swampy area of the Tonawandas, where the Ellicott and Tonawanda Creeks flowed into the Niagara River. In 1836, when Sarah Vandervoort moved into her brother's brick mansion on Sweeney Street, she had an interesting view of the Tonawandas. A "rude traveling bridge" spanned Tonawanda Creek where the Webster Street Bridge is now. Immediately east of it was a railroad bridge which ran from Main Street (then Military Road) on the south side to Webster Street on the north side. Then, just east of the bridges, a four-feet high dam crossed the mouth of the creek. It had been erected in 1823 in preparation for the building of the western section of the Erie Canal which was completed in 1825. A mill built by William Williams, also in 1825, stood on the south side of the creek at one end of the dam, and a Sweeney mill, erected that same year, stood on the north side at the other end of the dam. Next door to the Vandervoort mansion, at the corner of Sweeney and Webster Streets, stood the first public house or hotel in what was to become North Tonawanda. Called The Niagara, it had been built in 1827, and it served as headquarters for the first stage coach route operated out of the Tonawandas. According to one source, the stage left the Niagara once a week for Lockport, Niagara Falls, and Batavia and twice a week for Buffalo. The Niagara burned in 1844, and it would seem William Vandervoort did not replace it. He was probably devoting most of his time to the first bank of the Tonawandas which he had established in 1836. Research shows he operated it out of the brick mansion. Perhaps his bank was in one of the mansion's wings, or, perhaps, it was part of the long, one-story extension in back of the mansion and adjacent to the lane leading to Tremont Street. Daniel Webster, after whom Webster Street was named and a friend of Stephen White of White's Island (Tonawanda Island), was said to have been a "frequent visitor" at the bank during his wedding tour. So the story goes— all of which may or may not tell us something about the great orator-statesman's priorities. Whatever his priorities, Daniel Webster knew what the brick mansion on Sweeney Street looked like, and we don't. Research has failed to provide a photo of the Vandervoort mansion, even in the background of a canal scene. If anyone has a relevant photo, or if some very senior citizen remembers seeing it before it was torn down in 1912 or remembers hearing something of interest about it, we would be most interested. Write me c/o Tonawanda News, 435 River Road, North Tonawanda 14120. Next: More Vandervoorts and Miss Sarah. --- Vandervoorts come, Vandervoorts go If notice is ever made of a ghost in the Packet Inn, especially in the west side of the main structure, it would have to be that of Miss Sarah Vandervoort. During the last century, it was she who lived for 50 years in a brick mansion located on that spot. 30 of them alone. History doesn't show what occupied her time and thoughts, as from her unique vantage point, she witnessed the growth of the Tonawandas from canal hamlet to booming lumber center. Research only shows facts about Sarah Vandervoort and her family that can be pieced together, inviting the reader's imagination to take over from there. It appears that in 1836, when William Vandervoort moved his mother and 29-year-old sister Sarah into the new brick mansion, there were two nephews and a niece with them. All Vandervoorts, the children were 17, 14, and 11 years respectively. Unhappily, it was that year also that Moiah Sweeney, wife of William and Sarah Vandervoort, died at age 40. Moiah was survived by her husband, three sons, and two daughters. The children ranged in age from eight to 15 years. James Sweeney and his children continued to live here. Sarah Vandervoort, therefore, had numerous Vandervoort and Sweeney nieces and nephews with her and about her home she shared with brother and mother. In addition to banking business, William Vandervoort seems to have led a busy life. He was supervisor of the Town of Wheatfield in 1839. In addition to his banking business, which he operated out of his mansion, and the business of his public house next door, he also dealt in the business of real estate. For example, in 1843, he sold 400 acres of land to a group of Prussians who had come to America seeking religious freedom. On that land, the settlement of Martinsville took shape. The Niagara, William's public house, burned in 1844. There is no record of the cause or of the family's reaction. Research simply shows William did not rebuild. From 1848 and for the next decade, Miss Sarah Vandervoort and the brick mansion witnessed a great deal of activity in the comings and goings of various members of the Vandervoort family. It was in 1848 that death claimed the life of William and Sarah's 80-year-old mother, the former Rebecca Whiting. She was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, next to the grave of her daughter Moiah, whose husband James Sweeney was also to be buried there two years later. William Vandervoort married Mary Frances Gleason, and for the first time, the mansion heard the "patter of little feet." Mary gave birth to four children during those 10 years. One son, Roswell, died as a baby. In 1850, Jackson D. Vandervoort, one of the nephews who, as a teenager, had settled in Ransom, married Sarah Betsy Ransom, a daughter of Asa and Betsy Ransom of Grand Island. "J.D." and his wife lived with the family in the brick mansion for a short time but eventually settled in a large, frame house on the east corner of Sweeney and Main Streets (where the Elks building is now). In 1850, also, Jackson's brother James, acquired a case of "gold fever" and left the mansion and the Tonawandas for California. At one point, the family had to institute a search in order to discover his whereabouts there. He never returned to the Tonawandas. The Vandervoort niece married, and she, too, left the mansion that had been her home for many years. As Mrs. Adaline A. Goodrich, she settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. William Vandervoort died unexpectedly. He became ill during a journey to Dorchester, Massachusetts, to visit his father-in-law and passed away there in the fall of 1858. Soon after, his widow took their young children, two sons and a daughter, to Massachusetts to live. She would return to the Tonawandas occasionally for visits, but none of William's children was ever to settle where their father had been a pioneer. The silence that descended on the brick mansion on Sweeney Street must have been a shock to Sarah Vandervoort, whether welcome or not. After years of living there with a household of people of all ages, Sarah, age 50, was alone in the mansion and would continue to be so, except for a servant or two, until her death some 30 years later. Next, Miss Sarah, obliterates the mansion in the end. --- Last of the Vandervoorts Obituary writers of the last century must have had certain rules by which they wrote, (1) praise the deceased, (2) mourn the deceased, (3) if possible, bring tears to the eyes of the reader, and (4) praise the deceased one more time for good measure. Miss Sarah Vandervoort died May 11, 1887, and unfortunately, her obituary lacked the above essentials. It was, in other words, conspicuous because of its lack of praise. According to the Herald, Sarah Vandervoort, "one of our oldest and best-known residents," had been daughter of, sister of, aunt of. Most important, she had resided in the "well-known brick mansion on Sweeney Street." Whether the obituary was lacking in the customary praise because Sarah had kept to herself, or because she had not, will never be known. Maybe, the writer of her obituary did not care for the old woman who, in 1882, had complained "loudly and justly" to the Herald about the half-sunken canal boat and about the unpleasant odors of the canal across from her home. Perhaps, quite simply, the editor was preoccupied with the brick mansion which was part of the late William Vandervoort's estate. Tonawandans were very aware of the brick mansion. Indeed, within a month of Sarah's death, the Herald reported that people were speculating about who might become of the Vandervoort property "now that the late occupant is no more and the heirs will have full control." In March of 1888, the Herald happily announced that Mrs. Harvey Booth of Grand Island rented "the brick house on Sweeney Street known as the Vandervoort mansion." Mrs. Booth, the former Mary Ransom, was the widow of Captain Harvey E. Booth and sister-in-law of Jackson D. Vandervoort, nephew of Miss Sarah. How long Mrs. Booth rented the mansion is unknown, but that she did live there is verified today by her great-granddaughter, Miss Mattie Litz of Tonawanda. Eventually, the William Vandervoort property on Sweeney Street, including the mansion, belonged to James Sweeney. He was the son of William and Sarah's late sister, Moiah. A frame addition was added to the front of the mansion's west wing. It was used as an office for Sweeney Industrial Properties, a real estate business. At around the turn of the century, Niagara Silk Mills was built next door, just west of the mansion. A long, narrow structure, the plant extended from Sweeney to Tremont Street. It would seem that part of it remained intact as far west as the edge of the Packet Inn. By 1912, Niagara Silk Mills (later Van Raalte Company) employed over 500 people and planned to expand. A three-story addition was to be built where the Vandervoort mansion and other buildings stood. The home of the Tonawandas' first bank, was torn down in July of 1912. Its "obituary" was considerably longer than that of Miss Sarah Vandervoort At the same time, ground was broken for "North Tonawanda's newest office building" which was to be built by the Sweeney estate. The Sweeney building still stands on the east corner of Sweeney and Webster Streets. It is located where, around 1827, the Sweeneys' uncle, William Vandervoort, built his public house, the Niagara. At the time the mansion was torn down, only one branch of the family with the Vandervoort surname remained in the Tonawandas. Miss Sarah's nephew, Jackson D. Vandervoort, resided on the east side of Main Street between Sweeney and Tremont with his daughter Sarah R. He had three sons, one of whom lived in Jamestown, New York. Each of the other two sons, however, resided on Goundry Street. Both were successful businessmen; George D. was the Vandervoort half of the Humphrey and Vandervoort Insurance Firm still in existence today. Levant R. was a partner in the lumber firm of Smith, Fassett & Company. Both brothers died unexpectedly and within two weeks of each other in 1913. George was survived by his wife and two daughters. Levant was survived by his wife. Jackson D. Vandervoort died the following year at the age of 92. Aside from his daughter Sarah, who died in 1922, he was the last Vandervoort to live in Tonawanda. ---
Stephen J. White seems to have some suspicion around him regarding the salacious murder of his slave-trading uncle, Captain Joseph White (others eventually confess to plotting the murder). From the Smithsonian: According to one account, Stephen White’s brother-in-law, discovering that Stephen had inherited the bulk of the captain’s estate, “seized White by the collar, shook him violently in the presence of family” and accused him of being the murderer. The president of the East Boston Timber Company enjoyed success in Boston with Noddle's Island, before turning his sights on fine white oak of Grand Island, recently made accessible to the coastal cities by the Erie Canal. From the Harvard Business School Archives: The East Boston Timber Company, a Massachusetts company was incorporated in 1834 and sought to supply New York and New England with ship and other timber, plank, boards, staves, joist, scantling, and all and every other article prepared and manufactured from wood. Associates of the company included James W. Paige, Francis J. Oliver, Gideon Barstow, and President Stephen White. James W. Paige also acted as company treasurer. In 1834, the sawmill town of Whitehaven Mill was established on Grand Island located in the Niagara River as well as a wooded property near Tonawanda Creek. An assortment of wood products was shipped down the Erie Canal to Albany, where they were loaded on sloops and taken down the Hudson and up the coast to Boston harbor. In January 1837, the company hired Jedediah H. Lathrop (1806-1889) to act as their agent and hired two other agents to oversee their business affairs in New York City and Boston. Lathrop, based in Tonawanda, Erie County, New York, represented the absentee owners throughout upstate New York and traveled as far east as Albany arranging financing, appraising the owners about market conditions, and overseeing work at the mill. Increasingly, the company sought financial help through the reduction of tolls on the Erie Canal and re-negotiation of note payment schedules. Throughout 1838 and 1839, they defaulted entirely on their borrowed capital. The company was dissolved May 20, 1840.
Letters of Lathrop, Baker Library Special Collections, Harvard Law Library Records of the East Boston Timber Company, New York State Archives The White Oaks of Grand Island, Clarence C. Picard (WNY Heritage, September 2011) https://windhamnhhistory.org/tag/stephen-white/ A History of East Boston (1858) (no Tonawanda) A Murder in Salem, Smithsonian Magazine, of uncle Joseph White. Prosecutor "Black Dan" Daniel Webster's artful summation said by some to have influenced Poe.
Wurlitzer salespeople, Watch Wurlitzer extend its leadership, photo (Salt Lake City Tribune, 1946-01-07).jpg
Wurlitzer PianOrchestra, Brill's Hotel, Philadelphia, postcard (1915).jpeg
Wurlitzer letter to U. S. Indian School, letterhead (1931-01-02).jpg
Wurlitzer Esplanade, postcard (c1940).jpg
Wurlitzer, Ohio, ink drawing (1875).jpeg
Consolidation questions and answers, article (Tonawanda News, 1920-06-14).pdf
Consolidation is voted down, article (Tonawanda News, 1920-06-15).pdf
Tonawanda, transcription (pp8-9, Burke's Illustrated Guide to Niagara Falls, 1855).jpg
A sufficiently waggish description of the young village of some 2,000 souls, with mention of Cleveland financiers but not the 1830s Bostonians: **TONAWANDA.** We now approach Tonawanda, which is twelve miles from Buffalo. It is situated at the mouth of the creek of the same name, joining the Niagara, directly opposite the widest part of **GRAND ISLAND.** Here the Erie Canal, taking advantage of this noble creek, leaves the river and follows it to Pendleton, about twelve miles distant. Here, also, the traveller on the American shore, is at the widest part of the Niagara River away from her British Majesty's dominions, with all the accompanying fancies of Thrones, **CROWNS AND SCEPTRES.** Tonawanda lies on both sides of the creek; is a pleasant village, containing some two thousand inhabitants and derives its name from the Indian of *swift running water,* which term is rather mysterious, the Creek being very deep and sluggish. This village in the years '48 and '9, also put up pretensions to cope with Buffalo. The Merchants of Cleveland, jealous of the prosperity of the "Queen City," under pretense of want of sufficient harbor room, came boldly out and published a plan to make Tonawanda the port for the discharge of Western produce intended for the Eastern market. They soon erected elevators, wharves, &c., but without any apparent disadvantage to Buffalo. There is here a dam of eighty-four feet in width which, at the same time that it benefits the Canal, produces a very interesting fall or cascade. It is crossed by a long wooden bridge on which the railroad to Niagara Falls runs. The lowness of Tonawanda, and sluggishness of its creek, will always make it a prosperous place for rheumatism and ague, and most fit for a speculation in **BURIAL GROUNDS.**
Mansion house and Indian Mound on Tonawanda Island, map detail (1837).jpg
Burke's Illustrated Guide to Niagara Falls, book (1855).jpg
Wry sketches of locales on the tourist's path through the forests of Buffalo-Niagara.
Buffalo Sled Company correspondence on axle replacement for Auto Wheel Coaster (1920).jpg
In response to Frank B. Diehl's complaint about a flawed axle for a Number 33 Auto Wheel Coaster, the Buffalo Sled Company sent a replacement axle and requested the return of the broken one for inspection. Upon examination, they found no manufacturing flaw, attributing the damage to severe external impact likely from rough usage. They upheld their charge for the replacement, citing the durability of their materials and lack of prior defects, while expressing their willingness to address genuine issues responsibly. Transcriptions: --- Jan. 12, 1920. Mr. Frank B. Diehl, Defiance, Ohio. Dear Sir: In reply to your letter of January 9th, will say that we are sending under separate cover one front axle for a Number 33 AUTO WHEEL COASTER. As to your remarks relative same being billed free of charge, will ask that you kindly return the broken axle to us, and if upon examination here, we find there is an actual flaw in this article, we will be only too glad to send you a credit memorandum. We are asking you to return the axle for the reason that we have up to this time failed to find a single flaw in any of this material, and if the article in question is flawed we desire to take this up with the proper department with a view of avoiding similar cases. In the mean-time, therefore, we are billing on you for the axle in question, and if on return of the broken axle, same is found to be defective, we will promptly send you credit-memorandum. Thanking you for calling our attention to this, we are, Yours very truly, THE BUFFALO SLED COMPANY --- Here is the transcription of the second letter: --- Jan. 28, 1920. Mr. Frank B. Diehl, Defiance, Ohio. Dear Sir: With further reference to your letter of the 9th, and ours of the 12th, relative axle for #33 AUTO WHEEL COASTER. The axle in question was duly received this A.M. by us, and upon careful examination, we fail to find any flaw existed, but on the other hand, we are inclined to believe the wagon upon which this axle was used, came in contact with some extraordinary weight and received a severe jolt, as there is absolutely nothing to indicate a flaw. For your information will state that boys invariable ride up and down the curbs, and these sudden jars cause the axle to crack which permits the air to strike the opening, thereby causing a slight discoloration, and the next bump it gets, the axle breaks. On first glance, one who is not familiar with the facts, would readily arrive at the conclusion that a flaw existed. As stated in our letter of January 12th, up to the present time, we have failed to find a single flaw in any of the material, as the steel is cold-rolled, thereby avoiding any possibility of a flaw. The axle in question is considerably out of shape on both ends, thereby showing much hard-usage. In view of the facts as outlined above, we consider that our charge against you for replacement of this axle is in order. We are at all times prepared and welcome complaints, and are willing to make good where we are responsible. Thanking you for calling our attention to this, we remain, Yours very truly, THE BUFFALO SLED COMPANY
Two holdup men caught, Ironton youths, article 1 of 2 (Tonawanda News 1919-10-03).jpg
North Tonawanda Land Company ad (Tonawanda News, c.1893).jpg
More houses in the manufacturing district, Ironton Land Co., article (Buffalo Courier, 1895-06-12).jpg
Meeting of North Tonawanda's Big Land Company, article (Buffalo Courier, 1895-06-13).jpg
North Tonawanda's "Oliver Street" is named for Francis J. Oliver, a Harvard grad and freemason born in 1777. It's unknown if he ever set foot here, but he had business interests here: In 1833 he is a member of the East Boston Timber Company. The firm (led by Stephen White from his Tonawanda Island headquarters) purchases the majestic, ancient white oak of Grand Island to be used in building ships in New England. The street first appears in this 1837 map: more than fifty years before the Avenues were laid out. Early Life and Education Born: October 10, 1777, in Boston. Education: Graduated from Harvard College in 1795 at the age of 18. Background: Descendant of the Huguenot tradition, great-grandson of Antoine Oliver who fled from France under Louis XIV's persecutions. Career Real Estate: He was a principal stockholder in the East Boston Timber Co., incorporated on March 28, 1834. The company's purpose was to saw and prepare timber in East Boston. The headquarters were on Tonawanda Island, North Tonawanda. Streets in Tonawanda and Whitehaven were named after members of the timber company, including Oliver Street (See 1837 map). One of the original purchasers of Noddle's Island. Mount Auburn Cemetery: One of the originators of this notable cemetery. Business: Entered the shipping and commission business with various partners, including Oliver and Proctor, and later Cornelius Coolidge. His ventures included international trade covering ports in France, Portugal, the West Indies, and the Spanish Main. War of 1812: Notably manned a boat with armed men to recapture a brig from an American privateer. Insurance: Co-founded the American Insurance Company, serving as its president for 18 years. Banking: Became an agent for the English banking house, Morrison and Cryder, in 1836. Public Service City and State Roles: President of the Boston Common Council, state representative, and held various municipal offices. Military: Ensign and later lieutenant in the Boston Light Infantry, organized on President Adams' recommendation. Freemasonry Membership: Initiated into St. John's Lodge, Boston. Leadership: Served in multiple roles, including Junior Grand Warden, Senior Grand Warden, Deputy Grand Master, and Grand Master (1817-1819). He laid the cornerstone of the Massachusetts General Hospital during his tenure. Contributions: Played a key role in drafting and reviewing the by-laws of the Grand Lodge and organizing Masonic activities. Later Life Retirement: Retired to Middletown, Connecticut, where he lived for the last 18 years of his life. Death: Passed away on August 21, 1858. Legacy Memorials: His contributions were honored through various memorial addresses and resolutions recognizing his steadfast support and dedication to Masonry and public service. His portrait is preserved by the Grand Lodge.
Profile on masonicgenealogy.com Meet Your Street, Willard B. Dittmar
Chart of Tonawanda Harbor, with villages of Tonawanda and Whitehaven (1837).jpg
Map prepared for East Boston Timber Company, who had holdings on Grand Island, Tonwanda Island and more. Some of the features may be imaginary or planned. Many interesting details, including residence of a Grimard (near Pettit Creek): Gustavus Grimard of Niagara County owns land in Michigan according to this 1837 U.S.General Land Office note Gustavus Grimard shows up in Buffalo in the 1860 Census at 44 as a "Liquor Dealer" w family French-born 1816 Amos Pettit in 1860s has a case precedent describing transfer from Joshua Pettit to Gustavus Grimard. "Anguish" also mentioned. (Arthur?) Tweddale appears around where Payne will settle, and has a "lane." Payne's Hill is shown. Side lock and guard lock on the canalnin Tonawanda. High-res
Will break ground for new church in Ironton Sunday, OLC, article Tonawanda News, 1927-09-28).jpg
Several deaths from influenza, 3 in Ironton, article (Tonawanda News, 1918-10-11).jpg
Going to Ironton, 18 acres of Carr farm purchased by Plumb, Burdick and Barnard nut and bolt works, article (Buffalo Courier, 1891-08-08).jpg
Fine laboratory at the iron and steel works, article (Buffalo Courier, 1896-07-06).jpg
Dom Polski-sponsored tax gathering to be interpreted in Polish, article (Tonawanda News, 1935-05-31).jpg
Whiskey still boils over and firemen are summoned, Ironton, article (Tonawanda News, 1921-09-09).jpg
River Road and Wheatfield, Ironton section, map detail (1886) .jpg
Ransomville farmer trades for Ironton moonshine, fined, article (Tonawanda News, 1931-09-01).jpg
Quarantine is being broken, what can we expect of Ironton, article (Tonawanda News, 1919-11-12).jpg
Organ-grinder's monkey harrassed in Ironton, article (Buffalo Express, 1898-07-03).jpg
Objected to cow grazing on lawn, Ironton, article (Tonawanda News, 1917-07-21).jpg
Mention of maps filed at Niagara County Clerk, article (1897-12-13).jpg
Ironton Athletic Club, School No.7 gymnasium, article (Tonawanda News, 1933-01-13).jpg
Former Hungarian Church, 1st and Oliver, photos (Dennis Reed Jr, 2008).jpg
Some night photos of the 1910 former church.
Former Baptist church Oliver, becomes first OLC, photo (1903).jpg
Five new cases from Ironton, article (Tonawanda News, 1919-11-12).jpg
Fifty gallon still seized - 15th ave, article (Tonawanda News, 1920-06-10).jpg
Child not born with two heads, Ironton, article (Tonawanda news, 1921-10-20).jpg
Car burglar shot dead by railroad detective, Ironton Pole, article (Tonawanda News, 1914-06-04).jpg
Avenues (Ironton), map detail (1893).jpg
20 boys nabbed for damage to Ironton school, article (Tonawanda News, 1925-09-03).jpg
A History of the Riviera Theatre (by Bob Sieben) (c.1989)
A history prepared by Bob Sieben Billed as the "Showplace of the Tonawandas", the Riviera Theatre was built during the year 1926, by the Yellen Family. The architects Leon H. Lempart and Son drew the plans, which were patterned after the Italian Renaissance. The interior artwork was painted at the Rochester Studio of Willard M. Lusk, by Ferdinand Kebely. The Wurlitzer Organ to be installed in the new Theatre, Opus 1524 was shipped from the Wurlitzer Factory on November 19, 1926. Listed as a Model 235 Special, the organ differed from a standard 3 manual 11 rank Model 235, by substituting an Oboe Horn rank of pipes from the standard Salicional pipes usually found on this model. Other differences included the omission of the standard remote Piano, and a 5 H.P. blower instead of the 7-1/2 H.P. The console was painted and decorated to harmonize with the Theatre’s interior, by Wurlitzer’s Band Organ Artist. Opening night, Thursday, December 30, 1926 of the New RIVERA (as it was spelled then) was a ‘gala event’ in the Tonawandas. Advance reservations for opening night cost $1.00. Present on this special evening, were the Mayors of both Tonawandas. From the stage, Mayor James P. Mackenzie of North Tonawanda, praised the President of the Ownership Corporation of the Theatre, Henry Henshel, and the Theatre’s Manager, James J. Kelly. Messages of Congratulation of the Grand Opening were received from Governor Alfred E. Smith, and famous movie producer Cecil B. Demille. Featured on the screen, were the movies "Upstage" starring Norma Shearer, "The Mona Lisa", in Technicolor, a short comedy, and the newsreel. Organist Fred Meyer accompanied the films and soloed at the Mighty Wurlitzer. The stage featured vaudeville and musical events, as well. During the depression years, the theatre became a Shea’s Theatre, and the name was changed from "New Rivera" to "Shea’s Riviera". The organ was extensively used for the first seven years, and featured organists All Bollington, "Dusty" Rhodes, Jack Ward and Art Melgier. In the early 1930’s use of the organ was discontinued as a regular program feature, and heard thereafter only on special occasions. Time and lack of maintenance took its toll on the instrument. When Mr. Carlton Finch and his father Harry obtained an OK from the theatre’s management to restore the organ in 1944, only part of the great manual would play. There followed months of hard labor, cleaning magnets, removing fallen plaster from organ pipes, replacing missing and damaged pipes, and cleaning of electrical contacts. On "D" day 1944 the organ was in good enough shape for organist Carlton to celebrate the event by giving the first public concert at the Riviera in at least 10 years. Although the Finchs continued restoration and maintenance on the organ, the public did not hear the organ again until the Riviera’s management introduced "teenage dance parties’ on the Theatre’s stage with dance music supplied by Carlton at the Mighty Wurlitzer. The dance parties did not last for long, and upon their departure in the early 1950’s, the organ again became silent, except for weekly "off hour" practice sessions by Carlton. It was not heard again until March 18, 1962, when the Niagara Frontier Theatre Organ Enthusiasts sponsored a concert featuring Carlton on the Mighty Wurlitzer. The theatre organ club thereafter held one or two annual concerts at the Riviera, usually on Sunday morning right up to regular matinee show time. The theatre admission was charged at the box office for these concerts, which also entitled the members to stay and see the regular show. On July 3, 1964, the Riviera Wurlitzer was spotlighted in a special concert, with artist Jack Ward at the console. The concert started at midnight and was one of a series that was held on the Niagara Frontier in 1964. The theatre organ club continued to sponsor one or two "Sunday Morning" concerts per year for the next few years. During this time the Riviera became part of the Dipson Theatre chain, and with this change, brought a manager whom himself was an organ enthusiast. Carlton and Harry Finch, who kept the organ alive and active since 1944, requested the club’s help to do a more extensive restoration. William Hatzenbuhler, acknowledged organ builder and technician in this area, along with club volunteers adopted the restoration project. Manager, Frank Guzzetta, assured fullest cooperation. June 26, 1967 saw a drastic departure from the usual "Sunday Morning" club organ concerts at the "Riv". For this concert, the theatre was rented on a weekday evening, a name artist from out-of-town was hired to play, and the Riviera’s doors were opened to the public for the event. The club was barely able to meet expenses-plus, but this concert set the pattern for the many successful monthly concerts, as we know them today. By 1969 these public concerts were heard at the Riviera 12 to 14 times yearly, with frequent use of the organ for special events as well. During this time the organ itself saw improvements, as well as expansion. The dormant elevator was repaired and once again the console rose in splendor from its pit. Various instruments, and pipes within the organ began to sound forth. A sheet of board found blocking the sound from the pipe loft was removed; why it was place there, and by whom, remained a mystery. Approximately June 15, 1970 the Riviera changed from a Dipson Theatre, and was sold to MDA Associates. The theatre operated under MDA until April 5, 1971 when the theatre closed suddenly. The future of the Riviera was overcast; it went up for auction on August 12, 1971, when it was reacquired by Smith Properties (owned by Max Yellen). The Riviera remained closed for a year, until it was acquired by MACDOP Enterprises and reopened April 27, 1972 with North Tonawanda’s mayor present for the opening. During the one-year closure of the Theatre, however, the monthly organ concerts continued as usual, the theatre being opened for one night a month. Work on the organ also continued. The Wurlitzer organ from the Kensington Theatre in Buffalo was donated to the Riviera Theatre project in 1970, and although that organ had been badly damaged by flood and vandalism, many of the parts of this organ were eventually incorporated into the "Riv" organ. The club purchased a brand new set of Post Horn pipes for the organ, which were playing by the autumn of 1971. New modern electrical relays and switches were purchased by the club to compliment the old existing equipment. This would allow planned expansion of the organ’s original 11 ranks of pipes (click here to view the stop list). To help finance the Riviera’s secure future, the club made an offer to purchase the Wurlitzer for a substantial amount, along with a provision to have the instrument remain in the theatre. This offer was eventually accepted, the N.F.A.T.O.S. now owned the organ and at least could assure its future The club enhanced the theatre itself with the purchase of a huge crystal chandelier that formerly graced the Genesee Theatre in Buffalo. Installed in the Riviera’s main dome in January 1974, the chandelier measured 10 feet in diameter, 14 feet high, contained 15,000 French crystals and had 3 circuits of 35 bulbs each. A smaller chandelier that came from the Park Lane Restaurant of Buffalo was installed in the Riviera’s outer lobby at the same time. Also, added to the stage equipment was a scenic backdrop donated from the Bradford (PA) Theatre. A very historic grand piano was also acquired from the same theatre at the same time. This piano was to be used for stage presentations. It should be noted that this instrument is separate from the other piano already connected to the organ. Meanwhile, the enlargement and restoration of the Wurlitzer by club members continued. As mentioned, a player piano was acquired and converted to play remotely, from the organ’s console. Additional organ parts and pipes were donated to the Riviera project from Buffalo’s Century Theatre and installed by the work crew. The console itself received a facelift all of the artwork and paint was professionally done by an artist. The stop tablets were rearranged, and many new one were added. Most of this work was done in 1974. By 1975 the organ had grown to 16 ranks of pipes. The theatre ran a full-length silent 1920’s movie, "Wings" for a 10-day period with organ accompaniment by Art Melgier in February of 1973. Two commercial recordings were made on the "Riv’s" Wurlitzer by artist Frank Olsen by 1975. On December 15, 1976 the 50th anniversary of the Theatre’s first opening was celebrated in concert by artist Frank Olsen. The Riviera Theatre was placed on the Register of Historic Landmarks by the U.S. Department of the Interior – April 22, 1980 – but the future of the building was somewhat in doubt. A "Save the Riviera" benefit concert was held in June of 1981. The theatre was then acquired in early 1982 by SALED Properties, with the provision that the Wurlitzer Organ be a part of the sale of the building. The organ club responded, in the interest of keeping the theatre alive, and sold the organ back to the new owners. The Riviera also became the headquarters for a chain known as Key Theatres under this new ownership. In August of 1986, two of the Key Theatre in this area introduced live comedy on stage, on Saturday nights before the regular movie. The Riviera had the added feature of providing an organ interlude, prior to the stage comedy presentations. This special is quite popular among the patron right up to the present time. (Note: this was written in 1989, the theatre does not present comedy on Saturday evenings any longer). The Might Wurlitzer has grown to 20 ranks of pipes in the meantime, and work on the instrument continues constantly. Unseen refinements are being accomplished, in off-hours, by the diligent work crew. The work on a pipe organ continues constantly, with no end in sight these instrument need constant attention and tuning. The only reward for those that constantly toil with these "beasts" is "that monthly concert, when the organ sings back its praises". Early in 1988, the Riviera was once again put up for sale, along with its Mighty Wurlitzer. The organ club (Niagara Frontier Theatre Organ Society) decided an attempt should be made to purchase the theatre, by the club itself, and on August 12, 1988 a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ was reached with the owners. In the next few months a fund raising drive was undertaken in the Tonawandas and Western New York. Even the City of North Tonawanda itself attracted widespread interest and help. On February 14, 1989 the Niagara Frontier Theatre Organ Society (N.F.T.O.S.) closed the deal to purchase the Riviera and its Wurlitzer. Every effort of the club, city and Western New York is geared towards the goal of preserving the Riviera and its heritage, and to turn this fine theatre into a "Performing Arts Center of the Tonawanda". The Riviera’s Mighty Wurlitzer has provided more entertainment consistently in its original setting than most other theatre organs, nationwide. Many top name artists, in this country, have performed here in hundreds of concerts over the past 22 years. The Riviera’s organ has even been acclaimed internationally by artist appearances from Europe, Australia, Britain and South America. Several popular organists played their ‘first’ public concert at the Riviera Theatre. The organ has been televised on several occasions, and several commercial recordings have been made on it. Indeed the Riviera organ is well known here and abroad. The 63-year history of the Riviera Theatre has indeed been very interesting and frightful on a couple of occasion. Fortunately, the wrecking ball was evaded, as was the fate of over 30 other theatres in Western New York. The Riviera and the Shea’s Buffalo are the only standing examples of the movie palaces and their original "Mighty Pipe Organs" in an area which once boasted over 40 theatres with organs. Let us all share the dream of the Niagara Frontier Theatre Organ Society Club – that many more successful chapters of the Riviera’s history will be written in years to com, and that this heritage may be shared for many future generations.
Buffalo Bolt, Buffalo Pumps, Gilmore School, etc., aerial photo postcard (Daniel Kancar, c1947).jpg
Leading business men of twin cities urge voters to ratify consolidation, article and transcription (Tonawanda News, 1920-06-14).jpeg
### LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF TWIN CITIES URGE VOTERS TO RATIFY CONSOLIDATION **Henry B. Koenig, Hardware Merchant, and Henry P. Smith, Banker, Take Firm Stand in Favor of Uniting Tonawandas** **DON’T SEE HOW MERGING COULD POSSIBLY DO HARM TO ANYONE** **Best Thing That Could Happen to Tonawandas and Real Benefit to Every Citizen** Two leading citizens, one a resident of Tonawanda and the other a resident of North Tonawanda, present to the voters of the Twin Cities today a number of good reasons why the Tonawandas should vote "Yes" on consolidation tomorrow. They say business men know that consolidation will be a good thing for the Twin Cities, therefore, are largely for it. Business men also realize from their business experience that it would be cheaper to operate a single city government than two as at present and the voters are told why this is so. Tonawandans, who have the best interests of the Twin Cities at large at heart are urged by these two prominent citizens to go to the polls tomorrow and go on record in favor of uniting the Tonawandas. I have been giving a good deal of thought to the subject of consolidation because I think it is a matter of very great importance to everybody in either city," said Henry P. Smith, president of the First Trust Company, to a NEWS representative today when asked for an expression on consolidation. "These cities have a wonderful period of growth ahead of them if the people who live here will do the right thing and make the most of the opportunities there are here, but neither a city nor a business can succeed unless it is ready to give up worn out methods and adopt new policies that are necessary to success. There is no sense in letting a canal divide us and keep us from pulling together. If we won’t cooperate we don’t deserve to succeed and we won’t." "Lockport has the very same canal running through it, but it makes no difference at all because they are one city. We ought to have a city twenty times as big as Lockport, because we have twenty advantages to her one, but Lockport is growing so fast we won't be in it with her in a few years if we don't quit pulling apart and pull together. What is good for this city is good for business and vice versa. If consolidation wouldn’t be good for the community, it certainly wouldn’t be good for the banking business and I wouldn’t be for it for a minute. But I believe uniting the two cities will be the best thing that could happen for everybody. I don’t see how it could possibly hurt anybody. If it wouldn’t cost a good deal less to run one city than two then I don’t know anything about business. Every banker knows that one of the very best assets a business can have is good will and prestige. If any business man had his business organization divided as the government of this city is divided, with each half refusing to cooperate with the other half, he would know that bankruptcy was only a little way off. Our city governments would soon be bankrupt, too, if they couldn’t keep coming to the taxpayers for more money. No wonder it costs more to govern this community than it does to govern any other community of twenty-five thousand in the country. It is said that government statistics show that it is costing this community over $125,000 a year more than it should in taxes just because we think we have to have two governments instead of getting along with one." "I don't ask anybody to vote for consolidation because I say so, but I think it would be a good thing and I am going to vote for it,” said H. P. Koenig, the Young street hardware merchant today to a representative in an interview on uniting the Twin Cities. “We do business with people on both sides of the creek and they are all pretty good people. I am glad to do business with them and I think anybody that is good enough to do business with will be good enough to vote with. Any merchant who thinks it is cheaper to go ahead as we are than get on the other side of the creek if he wants to, but it don't look like a good proposition to me. I think the city ought to be run as a business and I don’t see any advantage in paying taxes to run two cities when one will do just as well or better. That is the way it looks to me as a business man. I know some people say we won’t save anything by joining the two towns. Well, if we don’t, we won’t be any worse off anyway. But I believe we will save money by it. I know it is cheaper to run one store than it is to run two and I don’t see why it isn’t the same way with cities. I haven’t talked with people very much, so I don’t know how they are going to vote, but I believe there are enough people on both sides of the creek to carry consolidation just because it would be good business and save a lot of unnecessary expense. These cities ought to grow awfully fast in the next few years and the bigger they get the more foolish it will be to be paying for two cities instead of one."
Woman's form floats in air, article (Rome Daily Sentinel, 1920-04-09).jpg
Owner of haunted house has many tenders of help, article (Batavia Daily News, 1920-04-19).jpg
Many seek glimpse of ghost at Falls, article (Buffalo News, 1920-10-10).jpg
Laying the ghost, article and transcription (Niagara Gazette, 1920-04-07).jpg
W. N. Y. News Laying the Ghost. Tonawanda, April 7. – Anthony Ross was brought into the police court yesterday to show cause why he should not be ejected from No. 411 Main street, where he and his family had been living. He was served with a three-day notice last week, but failed to comply with it. While at the police station, he told a story about some person being in his house one night three weeks ago and that the person escaped without being caught. This gave birth to the story that the ghostly figure alleged to have been seen by a number of persons on Delaware street in the vicinity of Elmlawn cemetery a month ago had moved into North Tonawanda. Ross denied the ghost story yesterday afternoon, but still holds that some person wearing black clothing visited his home one night last month. In court this morning, it was announced that Ross had moved and no further action was taken. Ross was forced to store his furniture as he was unable to find a house to move into. The police brand the ghost story a fake.
Ghost story part of a merger propaganda, article (Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, 1920-06-15).jpg
Herschell-Spillman improved riding gallery postcard.jpg
Richardson Boats demolition, photo set (Dennis Reed Jr, 2024-06-12).jpg
Buffalo Express pictorial, 1891, article and partial transcription.pdf
### Summary of Topics in the Document 1. **Tonawanda Island Lumber District**: - Described as a premier location for lumber storage and distribution. - Advantages of its compact arrangement and easy accessibility for buyers. 2. **W. H. Sawyer Lumber Company**: - Detailed history and growth of the company. - Emphasis on their specialization in high-quality white pine and significant annual lumber handling. 3. **State Bank**: - Role in supporting local commercial and manufacturing activities. - Overview of the bank's growth and key personnel. 4. **Lumber Exchange Bank**: - Its importance to the local economy. - Expansion and relocation to a new building to accommodate growing business needs. 5. **George F. Rand, Banker**: - George F. Rand’s contributions to banking in North Tonawanda. - Description of his new banking office and its facilities. 6. **Jackson Lumber Company**: - Recognition as the largest producer of pine timber in the state. - Description of their advanced facilities and operations. 7. **Tonawanda Lumber Company**: - Historical background and current operations. - Details on their significant annual output and involvement in pine lands. 8. **Tonawanda Iron and Steel Company**: - Revival and modernization of the Niagara River Furnace in Ironton. - Plans for becoming a leading single-stack plant in the country. 9. **General Industrial Growth**: - Overview of the rapid industrial and commercial growth in North Tonawanda. - Developments in infrastructure, including electric power plants and water works. 10. **J. S. Bliss & Co.**: - One of the oldest firms in North Tonawanda. - Their significant role in the shingle and round pine timber market. - Description of their operations and facilities. ### J. S. Bliss & Co. - **History and Operations**: The firm began manufacturing shingles in 1876 and has grown significantly since. They handle large quantities of round pine timber, masts, spars, piles, and sawmill timber. - **Production Capacity**: Their mill can produce 850,000 shingles a day, with a record of 56,000,000 in a single season. - **Notable Achievements**: They own the powerful tug Samson for towing logs and have a highly efficient shingle mill on Tonawanda Creek. ---- ### VIEW OF TONAWANDA ISLAND Tonawanda will prepare the reader for an account of the principal firms that are engaged in and contributing to this enormous volume of business. Opposite the village lies Tonawanda Island, the channel between which and the mainland forms Tonawanda harbor. The Island furnishes one of the finest tracts of land that nature could have provided for the pursuit of Tonawanda's chief industry. It is here that the reader is asked first to make a tour of inspection. ### Tonawanda Island The Tonawanda Island Lumber District, which is shown in our largest illustration, is rapidly becoming famous as the *ne plus ultra* of all lumber plants. Being an island docked and navigable all around, it allows a compactness in the arrangement of the yards, which on any mainland would be impossible. Visiting buyers appreciate this feature of the district. They are able to get quickly into the midst of 100,000,000 feet of lumber without the usual long tramp to accomplish the same result, in a five-minute walk from North Tonawanda railroad station, they find lumber in front of them, lumber behind them, lumber on each side of them. In every direction millions of white pine are in sight, bright and clean, the gangways all planked, and an air of perfect neatness and cleanliness everywhere. This property, when nothing but forest, fruit farms, and swamps, was purchased of our deceased townsman, William Wilkeson, by James R. Smith and Theodore S. Fassett with its development into a lumber district solely in view. This meant a very large operation for industrial development, requiring a heavy outlay of money to put the island into any shape for business also of $1,000,000, Mr. Lewis A. Hall becoming a director in the company, with a large holding of the stock. Railroad switch tracks ran into every yard, and while these tracks are owned by the N.Y.C. & H.R.R.R., all other roads have equal privileges on the Island by the provisions of the Bridge Charter. The Tonawanda and Wheatfield Electric Co. are now building a $40,000 plant near the north end, to furnish power for an electric street railroad. These facilities, with a telephone service and telegraph office, leave but little to be desired. The docked frontage on the property is now nearly two miles in length. The Tonawanda City Water Works, located on the west side of the island, are fully described elsewhere. The discouragements met by Messrs. Smith & Fassett in reaching the present grand development of the property are said to have been many and great, but the work is done, and the hurry and bustle of wheeling lumber from every direction, into planing mills or direct into cars, gives no outward evidence that but one year ago orchard and forest and swamp would have seen the sight where now three mammoth planing mills are throwing off their smoke high in air, and millions of lumber loom up in regular piles over 100 acres of level well-drained ground. Great is North Tonawanda as a distributing market. Like our own Queen City, she reaches back over the Great Lakes for her supply, even to the farthest northwestern point of Lake Superior, landing the lumber in her immense yards from the huge steamships and barges at a low rate of freight, with which the railroads never can compete from the same manufacturing points. Then stretching out for her trade over the vast network of railroads running into every city and hamlet of any importance in the East and South, she finds markets commensurate with her great and growing volume of business. ### W. H. Sawyer Lumber Company The yards, office, and mill of the W. H. Sawyer Lumber Company occupy the southern end of Tonawanda Island, where they have a most thoroughly equipped lumber plant. Mr. W. H. Sawyer, the president, was a New Hampshire boy, who started a very small retail business in Worcester, Mass., about 22 years ago. The venture proved successful and increased year by year till he is now doing the largest retail lumber business in New England. The plant at North Tonawanda was started about ten years ago as a feeder to Worcester, but soon became a regular competitor in the wholesale trade. Eight years ago Mr. A. C. Tuxbury became associated with Mr. Sawyer as agent and local manager, and during the four years of supervision by Mr. Tuxbury the business was nearly quadrupled. In January 1887, the W. H. Sawyer Lumber Co. was formed, with W. H. Sawyer, president; A. C. Tuxbury, treasurer; and C. E. Redfern, secretary. Mr. Redfern came from the well-known firm, the Skillings, Whitneys, Barnes Lumber Co., of Boston, with whom he had served for more than 20 years. The company handled about 40 million feet of lumber last year, their sales aggregating nearly $1,000,000. The yard and mill accommodations at North Tonawanda proved too small for the rapidly increasing business, and the past spring the company moved its plant to its present location on the Island, where they have expended about $140,000. They have added shingle machinery and are now making fancy stock shingles. This company makes a specialty of handling wide, choice, white pine, made from selected logs, and has ample facilities. They have placed on the lakes a fleet of vessels bearing the names of each of the officers of the company. They have a carrying capacity of 2,500,000 feet. ### The State Bank Good banking facilities are a necessity to a commercial and manufacturing center like North Tonawanda. That thriving place is well provided with fiduciary institutions, which are as solid and prosperous as the community in which they are located. The State Bank was organized in May 1888, and has had an honorable and prosperous career. With a capital, surplus, and profits of $165,000, and a large line of deposits, it has been able to meet the wants of its customers, and to grow with the increase of the lumber and forwarding business. Mr. J. H. DeGraff, the president of the State Bank, has been identified with the business interests of North Tonawanda for many years. Mr. Benjamin L. Rand, the cashier, commands the confidence and esteem of a wide circle. The other officers are Christopf Schwinger, vice president, and Henry P. Smith, teller. The directors are H. DeGraff, C. Schwinger, T. S. Fassett, E. Smith, A. A. Bellinger, Robert L. Fryer, and Benjamin L. Rand. The banking office is in a handsome four-story brick block, which is an ornament to the town. ### The Lumber Exchange Bank Another of the strong financial institutions of North Tonawanda is the Lumber Exchange Bank. It is composed of some of the wealthiest and most prosperous business men, and its liberal policy and careful management have won for it the confidence of the community and the prosperity which is the just reward of probity and ability. The capital of this bank was largely increased last year and now amounts to $200,000. The business was formerly done in a building on Webster Street, but the bank's new quarters are in the handsome building at the corner of Webster and Goundry streets, built by George F. Rand, one of the finest and best-arranged offices in Western New York. A view of the new bank building accompanies this sketch. It is conveniently located, and its accommodations are ample for the increasing business of the Lumber Exchange Bank for some time to come. The officers of the bank are: James S. Thompson, president; Joshua S. Bliss, vice-president; James H. Rand, cashier; William McLaren, assistant cashier. The board of directors consists of Joshua S. Bliss, George P. Smith, E. B. Simeon, P. S. Humphrey, J. S. Thompson, John W. Robinson, A. C. Tuxbury, Franklin Batt, and James H. Rand. ### George F. Rand, Banker The name of George F. Rand is largely associated with the fiduciary institutions of North Tonawanda. Mr. George F. Rand, who now conducts a private banking business, was formerly assistant cashier of the State Bank for about five years. He resigned that office to engage in his present business. He opened his office on May 12, 1890, in his fine new building, which is situated near the center of the town, not far from the lumber districts, and is ably assisted by Mr. A. J. Fielden, formerly with the First National Bank of Brockport for several years. Mr. Rand conducts a banking business in all its branches. His new building contains two elegant fireproof vaults, one of which he uses for his own purposes, the other being employed by the Lumber Exchange Bank, which occupies the same building. The illustration already referred to well shows the substantial character of the edifice. Mr. Rand's office is handsomely fitted up in natural wood, the screens and desks being of quartered oak with beveled plate-glass windows. The private office contains an old-fashioned fireplace, with gas logs, handsome oak mantel, etc. The entire office is lighted with electricity and heated with steam, the walls and ceilings being handsomely frescoed. Not only Mr. Rand's office but the entire building is a credit to North Tonawanda. ### The Jackson Lumber Company The Jackson Lumber Company of Lockport and North Tonawanda are the largest producers of pine timber in this State. They have a large mill at Lockport, but the one at Tonawanda, a view of which is given, is said by those who have experience and knowledge to be by far one of the handsomest and most complete sawmills in this country. Every labor-saving device known to the sawmill builder of today is in this mill. The yearly capacity of the Tonawanda mill alone, on a ten-hour basis, is fully 15,000,000 feet, board measure, while if the mill is run 24 hours, as may be necessary, its capacity would be, of course, something over 35,000,000 feet. This firm has been sawing special bills, such as bridge timber, car, dock, ship, warehouse, and trestle timber for the past 40 years, and are the best and most favorably known timber firm in this State. The president, the Hon. James Jackson, Jr., has for many years been prominently identified with the lumber industry and politically in Western New York, while A. H. Ivins, vice-president, and J. Carl Jackson, secretary and treasurer of the company, though younger, are also men of thorough business capacity and have done much to make the Jackson Lumber Company what it is. One of the officers of the company states that its business has never been so large and prosperous as it is now. The secret of its success is promptness and shipment of only what the company knows will give satisfaction to the consumer. Its Tonawanda mill is well worth a visit. The evident pride with which everything is explained to the inexperienced visitor is fully justified by what may be seen there. With a single band saw this company is making 45,000 feet, board measure, of square timber every ten hours. It is fascinating to see the way this mill eats up round logs or to watch the machinery plane a stick 18 by 20 inches and 80 feet long on all four sides at once. With such facilities, and actuated by a determination to give quid pro quo, it is not strange that the Jackson Lumber Company has secured the enviable position it now occupies. ### Tonawanda Lumber Company About 30 years ago the firm of H. P. Smith & Sons began doing business in Tonawanda and Michigan, bringing large quantities of long timber and lumber from the Wolverine State to the Tonawanda market. Out of this old and widely known firm has grown the Tonawanda Lumber Company, whose plant is among the largest at North Tonawanda. The officers of the company are George P. Smith, president, and Lewis Coon, secretary. Under this form, the company began doing business at North Tonawanda, in May 1885, under the name of the New-York Lumber & Wood-working Company, which was afterwards changed to the Tonawanda Lumber Company, its present title. The annual output is about 25,000,000 feet. The company is largely interested in Michigan and Canadian pine lands and ample shipping facilities. Mr. J. H. Kessler superintends the shipments. -- ### THE NIAGARA RIVER FURNACE, IRONTON **TONAWANDA IRON AND STEEL CO. LESSEES** North of the village and owned by Buffalo capitalists, had remained idle for about 14 years, when several gentlemen, who had been engaged in similar business elsewhere, looking the ground over, believed that the market which in former years was inadequate in this region had at last grown up with the development of other industries. They formed a stock company, called the Tonawanda Iron and Steel Co., and leased the Niagara furnace. The fires were lighted nearly a year ago, amid much rejoicing on the part of North Tonawandians, and the product of the furnace found a ready and sufficient market. So prosperous has this business been during the brief time the new company has operated it, that improvement and partial rebuilding have become necessary. A large sum is being expended this summer in this manner. The furnace itself is to be replaced by an entirely new one 76 feet in height, flanked by three hot-blast stoves 70 feet high and 18 feet in diameter, with a chimney stack of 150 feet. Additional buildings are being erected and new machinery added. The management state that when finished next October it will be the finest and best equipped single-stack plant in the country. The citizens of North Tonawanda naturally consider the starting up of this long-neglected enterprise an important factor in the town's prosperity, and its influence is already seen in the rapidity with which that section is building up. It is also an important addition to the railroad and vessel interests of that section, handling each year in raw material received and pig iron shipped away over 800,000 tons, or about 890 tons per day. The company makes a strong, neutral, coke iron from Lake Superior ores and markets their product through Rogers, Brown, & Co., who have an office in Buffalo, distributing the pig iron principally through New York and Canada. The view of the works given herewith represents the plant as it was before the extensive alterations were begun, the latter not being sufficiently advanced to indicate the future appearance of the completed work. The enterprise of the Tonawanda Iron and Steel Company adds much to the stability and prosperity of the region.
16-18 Webster, postcard detailm (c1910).jpg
Invitation to Hunt a Ghost, article and transcription (Tonawanda News, 1920-04-14).jpg
**INVITATION TO HUNT A GHOST** **August Kumm Urges People to Visit Alleged Haunted House.** **KEY AT POLICE STATION** Bed Set up in Dwelling for Accommodation of Any Who Care to Spend a Night There—Preparations Made to Handle Rush of Applicants. Anyone who wants to go ghost hunting can be accommodated by calling at the North Tonawanda police station. A key to the alleged haunted house at No. 411 Main street has been left there by the owner, August Kumm, along with a standing invitation to Tonawandans to spend a night at the dwelling. Kumm has taken this step in an effort to refute the ghost stories which have been told about his former home here, which he charges were the outgrowth of a conspiracy to cause him to dispose of his property at a sacrifice. Kumm declares, however, the plan has failed. Word was also left at police headquarters by Kumm that he has set up a bed in the dwelling for the accommodation of anyone who desires to put a night in there. Kumm told the police that he spent several nights there, but the alleged ghost never bothered him. Anticipating a rush of applicants to visit the supposed haunted house, the police are preparing to compile a list and it will be a case of first come, first served.
Ghost hunting in the Twin Cities, article (Lockport Union-Sun and Journal, 1920-04-12).jpg
Ghostbreaker is eager to tackle Tonawandas' jobs, article and transcription (Buffalo Express, 1920-04-12).jpg
**GHOSTBREAKER IS EAGER TO TACKLE TONAWANDAS' JOBS** No amateur, he explains to the police—Boasts Buffalo as his home. **LANDLORD IS ANNOYED** Tolerates no more adventurers as he will move into the house himself. Special to The Buffalo Express. Tonawanda, April 11.—"If there is a ghost in the Elmlawn cemetery it should be captured." That was the statement made here last night by George Lake of Buffalo, a lake pilot, who has set out to round up the one reported to have been seen near the cemetery on Delaware avenue. Lake says that just as soon as the ghost at Elmlawn has been found he will go to North Tonawanda and make short work of the one that is alleged to have appeared in a house there. Late last night the telephone at the Tonawanda police station rang and Desk Sergeant Edward Marohn answered. A man's voice asked for information relative to the ghost story. The caller declined to give his name but said that he was no amateur in the running down of ghosts and that he would take the Tonawanda ghost story up at once. Sergeant Marohn thought that the stranger was joking and gave the matter no further thought. About 2 o'clock this morning, while Sergeant August F. Pohl was standing at Delaware and Young streets, a stranger approached and told him that he was the person who had called the police station relative to the ghost at Elmlawn. He said his name was George Lake of Buffalo. He said he walked from Buffalo to Elmlawn cemetery and had sat on a tombstone there for two hours but saw no sign of the reported ghost. Becoming tired, he walked to Tonawanda to secure information relative to the North Tonawanda ghost. After spending a half hour there he started back up Delaware street toward Elmlawn cemetery, where, he said, he wouldn remain until daylight. While here, Lake said he formerly lived in Lockport and that some years ago he saw a ghost near a Lockport cemetery. He armed himself with a shotgun, secured a horse and rode past the cemetery. The ghost appeared and he fired at it. The ghost, who was a man dressed in woman's garb, was thus disclosed. Another adventure fails While Lake was sitting on a headstone at the cemetery last night he lighted a cigarette as an automobile was passing. One of the persons in the machine cried out, There's the ghost!" The driver speeded his car faster toward Buffalo. Lake had a good laugh. But this hardy Mr. Lake is not the only person willing to match wits with ghosts. Late last night a young reporter for a Buffalo afternoon newspaper came to the North Tonawanda police station and asked to be directed to a house on Main street where, according to his newspaper for which this adventurer worked, a ghost had been seen. According to the police, the youth claimed to have a key to the house and proposed to stay there all night. He had just the wee bit doubt of his own courage and two friends were to spend the night with him. He left the house at about 8 o'clock this morning and had seen no signs of a ghost. Whether he carried a Ouija board with him is not known. August Kumm of Niagara Falls, who owns the house at No. 411 Main street, is indignant at the ghost stories, the truth of which has been denied in the morning newspaper. [unclear]. He declares he will move into the house himself.
Twin City Style Shop, ad (Tonawanda News, 1942-04-29).jpg
Second Twin City fire loss is $5000, article (Tonawanda News, 1932-03-24).jpg
Max H. Schroeder & Co.'s Fancy and Staple Groceries, 16 Webster, ad (1893).jpg
Blaze causes $200 damages, 16 Webster, article (Tonawanda news, 1925-11-26).jpg
$1500 damage done by blaze, Easter chicks destroyed, 16 Webster, article (Ton News, 1925-03-31).jpg
Ghost hunting is all the rage, article and transcription (Tonawanda News, 1920-04-12).jpg
**GHOST HUNTING IS ALL THE RAGE** **Cold Not Spirits Drive Buffalo Trio Out of "Haunted House."** **VIGIL ON A TOMBSTONE** Vessel Pilot Lays in Wait in Elmlawn Cemetery for "Angel" that Fails to Appear—Claims to be an Expert at Solving Such Mysteries. "Can you direct me to that haunted house of which we have heard so much about lately?" inquired a man of Sergeant A. D. Smith of the North Tonawanda police force Saturday night. The man told the officer that he was Jack McGee of Buffalo. He was accompanied by two other men. The trio stated that they had secured a key to the building and intended to remain there over night in an attempt to solve the mystery of the reported frequent appearance of a ghost there recently. The officer took a lively interest in the quest of the men and directed them to the house at No. 411 Main street, where Anthony Ross, his family and several boarders lived until they claimed to have been frightened into leaving a week ago by the appearance of ghost on two successive nights. The men carried blankets for their temporary lodging and expressed determination to solve the mystery. Shortly after 2 o'clock the trio reappeared at headquarters. They said that the supernatural visitor failed to appear up to 2 o'clock. They considered that a late enough hour for any ghost to appear and, as they were almost frozen during their sojourn in the building, decided to stay no longer. George Lake of Buffalo, who claims to be a vessel pilot, has instituted a search for the angel seen in the vicinity of Elmlawn and Mt. Olivet cemeteries. Lake sat on a tombstone in the cemetery Saturday night waiting for the angel to appear but his stay was in vain. He says he is going to keep up his vigil until satisfied that the angel has left for other parts. Lake also expects to go to the house at No. 411 Main street to capture the ghost reported there. He claims to be an expert ghost hunter, having recently captured one near a Lockport cemetery which turned out to be a man in disguise.
Graveyards are giving up their dead, article and transcription (Tonawanda News, 1920-06-12).jpg
**GRAVEYARDS ARE GIVING UP DEAD** Ghosts Seen Last Night in Tonawanda and North Tonawanda. **IS RESURRECTION ON?** Unmistakable Apparitions Reported Seen by Responsible Citizens—Buffalo Spiritualists Are Interested and Come Here to Investigate. Two ghosts made their appearance in North Tonawanda last night and, consequently, the mystery surrounding the presence here of these spirit beings grows deeper. The fact that the apparitions are said to have been seen by leading citizens lends credence to the stories. The ghosts last night were seen on Bryant street in North Tonawanda near the place where a ghost was seen the previous night, and on Main street in Tonawanda near Park avenue. The ghost stories are attracting so much attention that Buffalo spiritualists came here today to investigate. They were headed by Mrs. George Geyer of No. 1032 E. Ferry street. The spiritualists said the ghost seen some nights ago on Delaware street, near Elmlawn, was discovered through a seance to be the spirit of Norman Baker of Buffalo, who was murdered on the Rasminger road in the town of Tonawanda last September. The spiritualists propose to hold a seance to determine the identity of the ghosts seen here. The North Tonawanda ghost last night took on the appearance of an Indian. It had feathers on its head, long flowing hair, an abnormally large ... (Continued on Page Four) --- **GRAVEYARDS ARE GIVING UP DEAD** (Continued from Page One) face, long hands but no feet. The apparition was draped in a white robe thrown over its shoulders, through which could be seen the outline of a skeleton. The Tonawanda ghost had the form of the statue of Liberty. It was a transparent figure and appeared to float off the ground. When pursued, the ghost turned on its would-be captors, and the latter took to their heels. [Editor's note: This next paragraph is mostly illegible]. Spiritualists who came here to investigate the stories, today questioned persons who are said to have seen the ghosts. They said apparitions are according to their belief, projections of thoughts, planted in the mind of the seer, to be stated by those who are led to venture the ghosts. The psychic vibration emanated by the seer who saw the apparition was seized by others who said to be in continuity with their teachings. Those who saw the ghost in North Tonawanda were attracted by a moaning and then, seeing a figure clothed in white, thought some one had fallen from a bedroom window in his bed clothes, being electrocuted by coming in contact with electric light wires in the street. The Tonawanda Power Company last night reported mysterious interferences with its electric light circuits for which it has been unable to account. Searching parties have been organized by the members of the Eldredge Bicycle Club to cooperate with the police departments in solving the mystery. Some persons are of the belief that local graveyards are beginning to give up their dead. ---
Prominent men went gunning for those ghosts, article and transcription (Tonawanda News, 1920-06-16).jpg
**Prominent Men Went Gunning For Those Ghosts** Never again will any resident of the Tonawandas believe ghost stories. They are all cured after realizing the manner in which they were "taken in" on the recent stories circulated as propaganda in the consolidation campaign. Hereafter, it will be a case of "seeing is believing" and "I'm from Missouri." Promoters of the propaganda decline to state the names of prominent residents who went gunning for the "ghosts," but declare there was a large number of them. Instigators of the scheme mingled among the hunters for the spirits and had a good time out of it.
Ghost caught, learn identity, article and transcription (Tonawanda News, 1920-06-14 201206).jpg
**GHOST CAUGHT, LEARN IDENTITY** **Spirit of Tonawanda Going to Join That of North Tonawanda.** **BOTH VANISH FOREVER** Words of Advice on Disappearing are to Vote in Favor of Consolidation Tomorrow—Mystery That Aroused Tonawandas and Vicinity Solved. The ghost mystery of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda has been solved. Volunteer searching parties after two nights of relentless vigil, were rewarded by the reappearance of the ghost Sunday night shortly after midnight. According to the police, there were more than twenty curiosity searchers on the watch in and about local cemeteries. Descriptions given to the NEWS by eye-witnesses of the ghost capture differ widely but all seem to agree that the ghosts actually came out of the ground like heavy white smoke and gradually took form. When surrounded, the ghost in Tonawanda hovered about two feet above the ground. (Continued on Page Four (Continued from Page One) ... and suddenly began to utter sounds [???] in the [???] What the ghost said was described to be as follows: "Do not be afraid to do your duty by your city and by your fellow men. X X X X you have found the memory of an ? with travel? for I am the spirit of your? X X village of Tonawanda. Mark you, men of the west?, Tonawanda is giving up her ghost never to be seen again. X X governments at Washington, by X X magistrates at Albany and our governments in all the great cities of the land than to burden X X Greater Tonawanda with double tax load which our people can little afford. Therefore, I say unto you, go to the polls and vote 'yes' on Tuesday. Vote yes or pay the price. The ghost Tonawanda departs to join the ghost of North Tonawanda. We vanish to make way for consolidation together. Vote YES." Thus, the greatest mystery in the history of the Tonawandas, which agitated nation wide interest for the past few days is explained.
Ghost, angel advertise city, article and transcription (Tonawanda News, 1920-04-09).jpg
**GHOST, ANGEL ADVERTISE CITY** **Tonawandas Are Receiving Much Notoriety from Weird Stories.** **ARE STILL UNCAPTURED** Special Writer Sent Here by Nearby Newspaper Secures Material for Sensational Article—Man Who Saw Ghost Reported Critically Ill. It will not be necessary for the Chamber of Commerce to spend $15,000 advertising the Tonawandas if they have a few more ghost stories and visits from angels. The Twin Cities are securing many thousands of dollars' worth of advertising throughout the country as the result of newspaper circulation to date of these weird tales. The unusual situation has been given so much prominence that a few days ago a special writer from a nearby newspaper was sent here to conduct an investigation to culminate in the writing of a feature article on the Tonawandas ghosts and angels. Although efforts were made in some quarters to discredit the presence of a good newspaper story, the writer left the impression when he departed that sufficient material had been secured around which to build a sensational article. A number of persons, too, have come here from other cities for the purpose of spending a night in the dwelling on Main street, which is supposed to be the habitation of a ghost. Promises have been made that the ghost would be captured but, so far as is known, the alleged spiritual being is still at large. It was reported today that one of the men who saw the ghost had been made critically ill as the result.
Seven-foot ghost is too speedy for crowd of pursuers, article and transcription (Buffalo Express, 1920-06-12).jpg
**Seven-foot ghost is too speedy for crowd of pursuers** Makes for wood when chased in North Tonawanda—Thought to be a woman. Special to The Buffalo Express North Tonawanda, June 11—Another ghost is reported to have been seen in North Tonawanda this time in the vicinity of the North Tonawanda high school on Falconer street. The alleged ghost was seen shortly before midnight last night, but attempts to capture it were of no avail. The apparition disturbed a number of residents of Falconer street by appearing before the window and was in the vicinity of Mayor [unclear] home. It is reported the police were notified, but the officers did not arrive on the scene to see the ghost. The ghost is said to have been a figure about seven feet tall, dressed in white, but had no wings. A number of people took after the apparition and it bested them by going into the woods east of Falconer street. A party of residents of the school district have arranged to be on the lookout for the ghost and have armed themselves with shotguns. This was the third time that the ghost has been seen in the Tonawandas. The authorities are of the opinion that the ghost is some woman dressed in white to frighten friends.
See an angel near cemetery, article and transcription (Tonawanda News, 1920-03-20).jpg
**SEE AN ANGEL NEAR CEMETERY** **Form of Woman with Long Hair and Flowing White Garments.** **DRIFTED ACROSS STREET** Local Restaurant Proprietor and Wife Startled by Apparition in Vicinity of Mt. Olivet - Came Out of Orchard at Side of Road. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Voetsch of the White Elephant restaurant at No. 76 Whites street claim to have seen the apparition of an angel on Delaware street, a short distance south of Mt. Olivet cemetery, while returning home from Buffalo in their automobile a few nights ago. "I was driving home from attending Shea's theatre in Buffalo and was nearing the cemetery when the form of a woman with wings, long flowing hair and dressed in long white garments appeared from a small orchard on the east side of the roadway and drifted across the road about forty feet ahead of my car," said Mr. Voetsch this morning. Mr. Voetsch slowed down his car to prevent hitting the figure and called the attention of his wife, who was in a drowse. Mrs. Voetsch became so excited over the affair that she was unable to sleep during the remainder of the night. Mr. Voetsch stated that the form disappeared after reaching the opposite side of the street.
Haunted house of Tonawanda creation of distorted mind, article and transcription (Niagara Gazette, 1920-04-12).jpg
**HAUNTED HOUSE OF TONAWANDA CREATION OF DISTORTED MIND** So Say Mr. and Mrs. Kumm of This City, Owners of Building Around Which Is Woven Ghostly Stories Told For Purpose. There may have been an apparition of an angel or some other sort of a ghostly form seen in the so-called "haunted house" at No. 411 Main street, Tonawanda, a short time ago but August Kumm, a carpenter and owner of the house, who lives at No. 640 Twenty-second street, this city, says there is nothing to the report whatever. Ever since Anthony Ross, former renter of the house, left the premises hurriedly one week ago today, bag and baggage, with a statement that he had seen the form of an angel floating through one of the rooms in the house during the dead of night, Mr. Kumm has made it his business to either watch the house in person or hire a man to stay there all night in an effort to determine whether or not an apparition really is appearing during the night in any part of the house. "I went down to Tonawanda last Thursday evening," said Mr. Kumm today, "just to see for myself what there is to this report. A friend of mine stayed in the house with me until nearly 2:30 o'clock in the morning but we never saw a thing or heard any sound. Not satisfied with watching the house that night I went down again Saturday night and kept constantly on the lookout until 2 a.m. Did I see or hear anything? Not on your life, everything was as quiet as a mouse in the house. However, I am having the house watched nightly for I think there is something back of all this." "What do you think is really back of all these ghostly reports?" a representative of the Gazette asked. "Just this," replied the owner. "Soon after Ross vacated the house I received several calls from someone in Buffalo who told me that he wanted to purchase the house. He would not give me his name or tell me where he lived. That set me to thinking that somebody is trying to get hold of the property cheap. Another time, I got a call over the telephone from a person, whom I have since found lives at 43 Winslow avenue, Buffalo. This person told me that he had heard about someone's seeing a ghost in the house and guaranteed to rid the house of the apparition at once if I would let him. Of course I took no notice of such talk as far as the ghost part of the proposition was concerned."
Ghost causes flight of six, article and transcription (Tonawanda News, 1920-04-06).jpg
**GHOST CAUSES FLIGHT OF SIX** **Desert Dwelling After Spiritual Being Makes Second Appearance.** **APPEARANCE OF WOMAN** Arrival on Both Occasions is Accompanied by Noise Like Blowing of Wind—Covers Are Carried Off Bed—Vanishes Through Ceiling. Another ghost, angel or some spiritual being has made its appearance here and this time the matter has been called to the attention of the police, which resulted in Anthony Ross giving up his boarding house at No. 111 Main street and fleeing with his wife and seven boarders to the West End Hotel, leaving behind all their household effects. According to Ross, the ghost made its first appearance at his house on Saturday night between 1 and 2 o’clock. Describing the case to the investigating police, Ross said the noise like the blowing of wind and a movement of air in the room that caused the bed covers to be removed accompanied the arrival of the apparition, causing his awakening. He said the ghost was in the form of a woman robed in a white bridal veil and that it did not appear to walk, but floated. Ross said he was horrified to such an extent by the apparition that he ran out of the room for the remaining night. It then vanished through the ceiling. Ross, believing that Ross had been drinking or was “seeing things,” one of the boarders said he would spend Sunday night in the room and watch, but the ghost again appeared between 1 and 2 o’clock in the same manner as the night before, but was not seen by the boarder. Ross testifies that he saw the same thing as Ross, stating that he was not under the influence of liquor, but had never been more sober in his life. He believes the house is haunted by some supernatural force in such condition that the boarders all fled and the ghost vanished. The declaration to be made may not have been sufficient to shield the boarder or the house but there was no hesitancy in the leaving of the keys to any person who desires to discover the cause of the visitation which he said he did not fear.
Another ghost is seen here, article and transcription (Tonawanda News, 1920-06-11).jpg
**ANOTHER GHOST IS SEEN HERE** Vanishes in Air When Surrounded and About to Be Captured. **ALSO APPEARS AT WINDOW** Entire Community in Vicinity of Sweeney Cemetery is Aroused by Appearance of Apparition—Motorcycle Policeman Corroborates Story. North Tonawanda has a ghost. It was seen late last night on Falconer street in the vicinity of the high school building. Among those who saw the apparition were C. Roy Phillips, Elmer A. Arenz, and several Buffalo automobilists. Their story is corroborated by Motorcycle Policeman Fred C. Sprenger. The ghost is described as about seven feet in height, dressed in flowing creamy white robes and had the appearance of having its wings clipped off. It floated over past the high school building from the direction of Sweeney cemetery at 11:30 o'clock last night. There were a number of persons abroad, on account of the pleasant evening, and several set in pursuit of the ghost. They had surrounded it in the middle of Falconer street and were about to seize the apparition when it vanished in the air. It was also reported today that during the night a resident of Falconer street caught sight of apparently the same ghost. S. M. Knapp was aroused by the rattling of his bedroom window, as if a hard wind was blowing, and on peering out saw the form of the ghost at the window for an instant. This is the third time that ghosts have been seen in the Tonawandas in recent months. Great excitement was caused in the vicinity of the high school building by the appearance of the apparition and the entire community was aroused during most of the remainder of the night. The high school building is only a short distance from Sweeney cemetery. Not many weeks ago a ghost was reported seen in the vicinity of Elmlawn cemetery and later an apparition was reported having made its appearance in a dwelling on Main street, driving the occupants from the place because of fear of it.
"Angel" makes another visit, article and transcription (Tonawanda News, 1920-03-24).jpg
**"ANGEL" MAKES ANOTHER VISIT** **Elmlawn Cemetery Section is Getting to be Spooky Place.** **NOW APPEARS IN STREET** Motorman of Kenmore Trolley Stops Car Thinking it is Woman Desirous of Getting Aboard—Not Visible to Conductor in Rear Vestibule. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Voetsch of No. 76 Webster street are not the only persons who have recently seen apparitions on Delaware street in the vicinity of the Elmlawn and Mt. Olivet cemeteries, which are almost opposite each other. Mr. and Mrs. Voetsch claimed to have seen the form of a woman, robed in a white flowing gown, with light streaming hair and wings float across Delaware street in front of their automobile while returning from Buffalo one night last week. The story was ridiculed, but now comes another story of an "angel" which tends to strengthen the statement of Mr. and Mrs. Voetsch. When the northbound Kenmore trolley car arrived in front of the North Tonawanda police station at 11:30 o'clock a few nights ago, the motorman Albert Stroessel and the conductor John Zimm, both of Buffalo, went into headquarters and related their strange experience with an apparition near Elmlawn cemetery. Stroessel saw what appeared to be a woman, robed in white, and with hair hanging down her back, standing besides the track as though to board the car when it stopped. Under this impression he stopped his car. As nobody got onto the car after it stopped, Zimm went to the forward end of the car to learn the reason why Stroessel stopped. "Didn't a woman get onto the car?" asked the motorman. When informed that nobody boarded the car and that the conductor saw no person when he looked from the vestibule to see if anybody was waiting to get aboard, Stroessel related the circumstances which caused him to stop. The motorman and conductor related the experience to Sergeant A. D. Smith and several members of the police department who were in the station when the street car men arrived. Sergeant Smith verified the story this afternoon.
Tonawanda's ghost, article and transcription, (Utica Globe, 1920-04-10?).jpg
**TONAWANDA'S GHOST** **Several Persons Have Seen It and It is the Cause of Much Excitement—One Man Offers to Give Away His House.** By R. S. MULVEY, Buffalo. IN THESE strenuous times of ouija boards and spirit messages any story, true or imaginary, is interesting, but the story of how a ghost in woman’s form has been haunting the people of Tonawanda, N. Y., and vicinity for the past two months, and corroborated by a half dozen people, will prove doubly interesting. Perhaps seeing this "thing," whatever it is, is the result of a shot of home-made "boosh". However, here is the story: George Argus, who conducts a roadhouse near Tonawanda, says: "On the night of March 8, my wife and I were returning from Buffalo in our car. I was driving and as we neared the Mount Olivet Cemetery at Kenmore, I saw something white, in woman’s form, floating along the [road?] about 10 feet in front of the car. I slowed down but did not tell my wife, because she is nervous and I didn’t want to alarm her. However, when we got directly in front of the cemetery, the thing turned and came towards us, but when it got near, it rose in the air and went right over our heads and on into the cemetery. My wife also saw it and became so hysterical that I found it very necessary to take her to a doctor immediately, and she has not yet gotten over her fright. I am not a superstitious man but I am willing to make an affidavit as to the truth of what I say." Another report of the ghost’s appearance is related in the story of Fred Graham, a motorman on the International Railway's Kenmore line. Mr. Graham says: "It was about a week after the ghost was reported seen by Mr. Argus that I saw the same thing. I was running my car on the Kenmore line, and when I drew near the Tonawanda city line I saw a woman apparently waiting to board the car, so I applied the brakes and slowed down. After stopping I waited for the conductor's signal to go ahead, but instead he came to the forward part of the car and asked me why I stopped. I told him that I had seen a woman ready to board the car, but he informed me that no one got on. This woman was also dressed in white and the stop she was at is right near the Mount Olivet Cemetery." The next appearance was in the heart of Tonawanda's residential district, in fact, inside a house. This time it was seen by Anthony Rose in his house at 411 Main street, where he conducted a boarding house. The appearance of the apparation [roused?] him and his seven boarders to leave the house and take up quarters in the Washington Hotel. Mr. Rose says: “I was awakened by a sudden gust of wind that carried the bedding away from me, and as I opened my eyes I saw the form of a woman, dressed in a robe of white and having all the appearance of an angel, floating through the room. I was awe stricken and unable to speak until the ghost vanished through the ceiling of the room.” When Mr. Rose related this story one of his boarders boasted that he was not afraid of the ghost and that he would sleep all night in the house alone and throttle the nocturnal visitor. Accordingly the boarder went to sleep in the house and about 1 o'clock was awakened and saw the same thing that Rose had told about. He hurriedly dressed and ran out of the house to the Washington Hotel, where he is also staying now. The boarder was stricken speechless and was unable to move a muscle until the ghost disappeared. Mr. Rose has offered to give the building to anyone who wants it. The Tonawanda police have searched in vain for a possible joker and the apparition has the city in a great state of excitement. Is it really a ghost? Surely there is something to the story when several people have seen practically the same thing, at the same time, several time in six weeks. And when a man will offer to give a home worth several thousand dollars away on account of it, what can the answer be?
Ghost reports in Tonawandas as propaganda, transcribed article (Buffalo Express, 1920-06-15).jpg
**Ghost reports in Tonawandas as propaganda** **They accept resignations, but the men are still on the job.** *Special to The Buffalo Express* North Tonawanda, June 14. That the recent ghost reports in the Tonawandas were part of the chamber of commerce campaign in behalf of the merger project was admitted tonight by Police Chief John F. Ryan. The ghost idea was evolved by the chamber, he said, and the stories of a ghost were reported by various members of that organization. According to chamber's plan, it is said, the ghost was supposed to end his visits last night, whereupon a newspaper article would appear tomorrow in which it would be stated that if Tonawanda would give up the ghost for North Tonawanda in the merger project, North Tonawanda would give up the ghost for its sister city. Just how this would influence the vote on the merger proposition, which takes place tomorrow, was not explained. Despite a newspaper announcement today that the ghost had given himself up to Chief Ryan last night, which the chief denied, a large number of persons hung around Sweeney cemetery tonight in hopes of seeing the apparition.
Tonawanda Village, excerpted from The Falls of Niagara, transcription (Samuel DeVeaux, 1839).jpg
TONAWANDA VILLAGE. This is half way between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, being distant from each of those places 11 miles. It lies by the side of the Niagara river, and the Tonawanda creek and Erie canal passes through it. The navigation of the canal is by a lock connected with the river, and passengers for the Falls, disembark from the boats at this place. The village possesses many advantages for business operations; and some trade with the upper lake is carried on direct by vessels navigating the river and lake. This trade is destined to increase. A ferry-boat plies between Tonawanda and Whitehaven, on Grand Island, the two villages lying opposite each other. A bank, under the New York banking law, has lately been established, which will increase the business facilities of the enterprising inhabitants.
Damage of $35,000 caused as fire sweeps building at 16-18 Webster Street, article (Tonawanda News, 1933-04-15).jpg
John Mundie shot himself, transcribed article (Tonawanda News, 1916-04-04).jpg
**JOHN MUNDIE SHOT HIMSELF** Untimely Death Comes as Shock to Host of Friends. ACTIVE IN MANY WAYS Member of Leading Clubs, Lodges, First M. E. Church and Teacher in Sunday School—Successful Business Man—Born in Scotland. The news of the untimely death of John Mundie of No. 256 Goundry street yesterday afternoon came as a shock to his many friends and especially to his wife to her just when she came a few hours later, announcing that he had ended his life by shooting himself through the heart. Mr. Mundie was one of the widely and most highly respected business men in the Tonawandas. When the body was discovered on the bed in his bedroom, that he had taken his life was not known by his wife who found the body. It was not until Dr. Clendenan arrived that the revolver was found in the bed and a powder marked bullet hole was detected on the shirt. Coroner J. E. Helwig was notified. As was stated in yesterday's NEWS, Mr. Mundie had suffered much from a weakened heart and had managed to get to his store daily. After his noon meal yesterday, he went to his bedroom on the second floor of the Mundie home telling his wife was going to lie down to rest for a time. He lay down on the bed. With a 38-caliber revolver in his hand and covered with blankets, Mr. Mundie sent a bullet into his left breast. The ball pierced the heart, death was probably instantaneous. No shot at the Mundie home heard the shot fired. Shortly before 3 o'clock Mrs. Mundie went into her husband's bedroom to see how he was feeling and found him dead. Mr. Mundie was born in [Mintaw?], Aberdeen, Scotland, on October 7, 1863, where he was reared on his father's farm. He was educated in the common schools of that place and later studied mechanical engineering. He came to the United Stated in 188[1?] and located at Middleport, Niagara County, where he became an apprentice at the jewelry trade. Mr. Mundie came to North Tonawanda in 1883 and went to work for A. W. Story, a Webster Street jeweler. Three years later he purchased a half interest in the business and in 1888 formed a co-partnership with F. A. McCoy at No. 18 Webster Street. At the time if his death, his brother, Alderman James Mundie, was in partnership with him at the latter location. Mr. Mundie was a member of Buffalo Council No. 66, Royal [A?] of Buffalo; Sutherland Lodge, F & A. M.; the Carnegie Library board; the Shakespeareans; the Burroughs Nature Study Club; the First M.E. Church. He was a teacher in the Methodist. Sunday School. Besides his wife, three sons, Warren Donald and James Mundie of North Tonawanda; his mother, Mrs. Jane Mundie of North Tonawanda; three sisters, Mrs. George [?] of Central City, Col., Mrs. Louise Frazier of New Zealand and Mrs. Raymond Higgins of North Tonawanda; and four brothers, James and Alexander Mundie of North Tonawanda; Cummings Mundie of Victor, Col., and Andrew Mundie of Arizona, survive. Mr. Mundie left a note on the dresser in his room. It was addressed to his wife and was of a personal nature. The funeral will be held from the family home at No. 286 Goundry street at three o'clock on Thursday after noon, the Rev. H. E. Bayley of the First Methodist church officiating. Burial will be in Elmlawn.
Adopt resolutions on death of Mr. Mundie, article (Tonawanda News, 1916-04-05).jpg
John Mundie, suicide at 52, article (Batavia Daily News, 1916-04-04).jpg
Jewelry firm dissolved, Mundie & McCoy, article (Buffalo News, 1899-10-17).jpg
James Mundie dies at 49, article (Niagara Gazette, 1924-09-15).jpg
Two cups for the winners, boat race trophies by Mundie Bros., article (Tonawanda News, 1908-07-23).jpg
Mundie Jewelry Co. purchases Mundie Bros. jewelry business, ad (Tonawanda News, 1917-05-11).jpg
Mundie Bros., Pierce bicycle, a bargain while they last, ad (Tonawanda News, 1897).jpg
Spafford Clothing House, Mundie Brothers, Pierce Bicycles, ads (c1900).jpg
Mundie Brothers, Pierce pneumatic cushion frame, ad (c1900).jpg
Mundie Brothers, Pierce Bicycles, track racer, ad (c1900).jpg
Mundie Brothers, Pierce Bicycles, calendar ad (c1900).jpg
Mundie Brothers, a study in vibration, ad (c1900).jpg
Two business blocks sold, article (Tonawanda News, 1919-08-09).jpg
Mundie Brothers, ad (Tonawanda News, 1904-12-08).jpg
John Mundie dies suddenly, article (Tonawanda News, 1916-04-03).jpg
It didn't work - Diamond thief foiled, article (Tonawanda News, 1908-06-16).jpg
Born and married in Pennsylvania, Benjamin Long and Mary (Hershey) Long come to Western New York in 1828, to settle on property Mary's father had left her on the Mile Strip Reservation. In 1830 the devout couple move into their new home--now the Long Homestead Historical Museum. See also: Ancestry and descendants of Henry Perkins Smith and Christiana (Long) Smith Genealogy of Benjamin Long, booklet with photos (1898)
Ancestry and descendants of Henry Perkins Smith and Christiana (Long) Smith (excerpts).jpg
From this long and detailed family history, we excerpt the following fascinating accounts: (pp 166-189) Early life of (Pennsylvania Dutch) Benjamin Long and Mary (Hershey) Long, their move from Pennsylvania to Niagara County, their real estate deals and holdings, family, the route they took, the construction of the Long homestead, early school and church involvement by the Longs, the division of the property among heirs, and a detailed recollections of Christiana (Long) Smith. Christiana is the grandmother of the family history writer, who is philosophical about their not-too-close relationship: "She was 73 years old when I was born and past the age of being pleased with the noise and antics of young children." (pp201-203) Mary's father Christian Hershey's 1814 trip on horseback to the Niagara frontier to buy hundreds of acres of newly available New York State Mile Reserve tracts with the gold bursting from his saddle bags. Another purchase he makes is Lot 83, containing Long Point, future site of the Long homestead. Here he plants pear trees brought from Witmer's farm and, according to family tradition digs a well. He deeds these lands to his children on June 25, 1815, and dies in October 1824.
Census Enumeration District Maps, North Tonawanda (1950).jpg
Hi-res version attached and here.
Location of cut-off at Tonawanda, swing bridge, Goose island? photo (1905-03-14).jpg
Labors annual holiday to be fittingly observed, Bach's cornet band at the Sweeney Grove, article (Tonawanda News, 1910-08-11).jpg
Leading them all, lumber market, article (1896-12-02).pdf
Hunting camp, photos (c.1900, O.L. Zimmerman photographer, 276 Vandervoort Street).jpg
President of Buffalo Bolt expects payment, letter (1898-08-15).jpeg
Downtown Tonawandas, aerial photo (c.1930).jpg
Photo mural from inside of former First Trust, First Niagara bank in Tonawanda
Canal boats not in commission, cabinet card (1897-05-15).jpg
Assessment, Charles Zielal, Erie and Niagara County Farmers Association, postcard (1885).jpg
DeGraff Memorial Hospital, transcribed article and photos (1865-1965 Centennial).jpg
IN 1964 DeGraff Memorial Hospital completed its Fiftieth Anniversary Year. Perhaps its most significant year since the hospital was founded half-a-century ago by dedicated citizens whose foresight and devotion to progress are much in our minds and hearts today. The Golden Anniversary, June, 1964, marked the opening of the first phase of the New DeGraff Memorial Hospital. Later in 1965, Phase II of the new hospital building program will be finished bringing its capacity to 190 beds. Then the renovation of the new wings in the old hospital will be started, however, this is but one step in coping with the evolving needs of our community. As time goes on, more demands will be placed on the existing facilities. We must remember that the man who gave DeGraff Memorial Hospital its start, and whose generosity was largely responsible for the present expansion program, is no longer with us. However, LeGrand DeGraff left more than a bequest in money. His bequest of enthusiasm and dedication will grow in importance as the years go by. We are fortunate in the Tona- wandas to have many public spirited citizens who have demonstrated their support of the hospital in the past, and we are sure that all our citizens will pledge to continue the work that Mr. DeGraff carried out during his lifetime. THE story of hospital care in the Tonawandas, as in most communities, traces far back through the years to a time long before a fully operational and professionally staffed hospital actually opened its doors. A small group of businessmen in the community made a start as early as 1880, but support and understanding were lacking and the efforts went on and on. In 1901, a successful Niagara County farmer, Lyman Ballard, decided on his own that the Tonawandas needed a hospital. In his declining years, he announced that he would endow such an institution to be built in North Tonawanda, but before his lawyers could prepare the proper documents, he died. History does not record it, but perhaps he expired for lack of the very care he wished to see provided. For several years hence various organizations held various functions and through their efforts raised funds but still this was not enough. In 1909 the professionals took a hand and organized a fund campaign. The efforts continued for years and ultimately the State Charities Aid Association was asked to make a survey and report the question and estimated that a minimum cost would be $30,000 and the community could not afford to mount a campaign for that much money. But the idea didn't die completely, as a man who held a belief considered startling in his day, the belief that a person enjoying material success owed a debt of gratitude to his community. LeGrand Simson DeGraff was as aware as anyone of the need for hospital facilities in the Tonawandas, and did not believe it was beyond reach, took a hand in the project. In the spring of 1913, DeGraff, together with an Army surgeon, Dr. John A. Rafter and the Mayor, were convinced that it could be done and would be well worth the effort. They rounded up support in the business community of the Tonawandas and DeGraff said that he and his associates were prepared to foot the entire bill for a brand new hospital building, equipped and ready to operate, at a cost not to exceed $40,000. There were two main conditions - that the indigent of the communities were to receive free hospital care, and the two cities were to maintain the hospital property. If they failed to meet these conditions for as long as two months, the property would revert to the donors for disposal with the proceeds to be divided according to the proportion of each donor's original contribution.
2 Main Street, Tonawanda, photo mural, interior photo.jpg
2 Main Street, Tonawanda, interior photo.jpg
Holland Land Co. maps, Range 8 Town 12-13, c1798.jpg
John Johnson on Town of Wheatfield map (1860).jpg
John, Hannah Johnson and others (Unites Stes Census, 1850).jpg
480 "Value of Real Estate owned"; the other tick is for "Persons over 29 years of age who cannot read or write." "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DYZQ-XV2?cc=1401638&wc=95RD-N3D : 9 April 2016), New York > Niagara > Wheatfield > image 60 of 64; citing NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
Oak Motor Oil, Frontier Mfg Co., ad (1928).jpg
Oak Motor Oil, Frontier Mfg Co., ad (1925).jpeg