GREENWOOD Steuben County New York
NEWSPAPER TIDBITS

1882

The Steuben County Rebellion.      Governor Cornell’s sudden and solemn proclamation under the new Criminal Code declaring part of Western New York to be in flagrant rebellion took the metropolis yesterday by surprise, and there was a general recourse to maps and gazetteers to ascertain the locality of civil war.      From our Albany dispatches it will be seen that there is no need of universal alarm. It is a very little rebellion as yet, and is limited to the township of Greenwood, which is situated in the western part of Steuben county, near the eastern line of Allegany county, and contains only some fifteen hundred inhabitants, including the women and children. In a frenzy for rapid development many years ago some of the thinly settled Steuben county towns, Greenwood among the number, bonded themselves for the construction of an impracticable railroad, the Court of Appeals has affirmed the validity of the bonds, and a tax of eight thousand dollars has been laid on Greenwood in consequence on account of arrears in the interest. Some of the inhabitants, being discontented because the Court will not allow the township to protect itself against its own ancient folly by now cheating bondholders, resist the levy by a kind of charivari, about a hundred of them accompanying the Sheriff with a drum and fife and intimidating bidders whenever he tries to sell out the recalcitrants.      This appears to be all there is of the rebellion so far as is positively ascertained. Steuben county is bounded on the south by the Pennsylvania coal mining county of Tioga, and a railroad runs up from Tioga county and connects with the Erie Railroad at Corning. Greenwood is situated thirty-two miles west of Corning and thirteen miles south of Hornellsville and has no railroad connections. It is, of course, possible, though no probable, that there is some foundation for the story that Molly Maguires from Pennsylvania are assisting in the riot. The leaders of the rioters are not named in the dispatches. We shall not know till further tidings who is the Parnell of the Steuben county Land League. New York Herald (New York, NY) February 14, 1882; pg. 6. A STATE OF INSURRECTION. OFFICERS OF THE LAW RESISTED IN GREENWOOD, STEUBEN COUNTY-PROCLAMATION BY GOVERNOR CORNELL-SEQUEL TO AN OLD FIGHT OVER BONDS ISSUED IN AID OF AN UNFINISHED RAILROAD. [FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] ALBANY, Feb. 13, 1882.      Governor Cornell’s proclamation declaring the town of Greenwood, in Steuben county, in a state of insurrection because of the forcible resistance of  a portion of the people to the collection of taxes is the first proclamation of the sort under the new criminal code, and is issued under peculiar circumstances. By the new code the Governor, when called upon to do so by the sheriff, district attorney, county judge, or indeed by almost any person of authority in the county as the law is interpreted in the Governor’s office, may issue such a proclamation. In this instance Governor Cornell was visited by the Sheriff, Deputy Sheriff and District Attorney of Steuben county, who represented that a considerable number of inhabitants of the town of Greenwood, in that county, had on several occasions forcibly resisted the collection of a tax levied on the town to pay the interest on bonds of Rochester, Hornellsville and Pine Creek Railroad and for certain costs incurred in a protracted fight made against the legality of the bonds in question. From their statements it would appear that the more peaceably disposed citizens of the town paid the tax, but a greater number refused, and when the officers attempted to levy upon the personal property of those refusing, a body of a hundred men or more, to the music of a drum and fife, and some of them armed, accompanying the Sheriff from place to place, and, by threats or other means, so deterred any persons from bidding, that the efforts of the officers to realize upon the sales were fruitless. The authorities named said Governor Cornell that unless by the intervention of executive authority they could collect only a comparatively small portion of the tax, which amounts to a little over $8,000. ORIGIN OF THE DISPUTE.      From other sources it is learned that a number of years ago bonds were issued by several towns along the route of the proposed road to aid it in its construction, of which Greenwood voted some $7,500, but the road was never finished, no part of it being in operation and, parts of it in fact having never been even graded. The several towns, with the exception of Greenwood, have paid the interest on their bonds under protest and Greenwood has contended in the courts that they are invalid. A recent decision of the Court of Appeals has overthrown this plea, and the recent proceedings were under this decision.      Greenwood is a little town of 1,500 inhabitants, near the Pennsylvania line, and the Steuben county authorities who have been here claim that the people have been incited to and helped in their resistance by oil men and miners from across the border. Persons familiar with the facts claim that no violence has been offered to the collection of the tax further than the noisy demonstration that attended attempts of the Sheriff to sell out those refusing to pay, and assert that the sentiment in the town is such that residents at least would not bid against their neighbors. It is thought probable that if the disorder continues the Sheriff will call out militia, which he has the power to do under the proclamation. THE PROCLAMATION.      The Governor has issued the following proclamation:- STATE OF NEW YORK, EXECUTIVE CHAMBER.      Whereas it is complained to my satisfaction that the execution of civil process of law has been forcibly resisted or prevented by bodies of men unlawfully assembled, and that combinations exist to resist by threats, force or violence in the county of Steuben, in this State, and in the town of Greenwood, in said county, the execution of process issued and taken in the ordinary and lawful manner and form for the enhancement of the laws relating to the collection of taxes; and it having been made known to me that the power of the county has been exerted, but has not been sufficient to enable the officers of the law having process to execute it in the said town of Greenwood;      Now therefore, by virtue of the authority in me vested, proclamation is hereby mad declaring the said town of Greenwood, county of Steuben, as to the matters and things specified and complained, to be in a state of insurrection, and warning all persons now and hereafter to desist from any attempt to commit any violation of the public peace or threat to do the same, or any attempt or threat to resist or prevent any officer of the law from executing any process he has been commanded legally to enforce in the said town of Greenwood, county of Steuben, and all persons not lawfully or peacefully assembled in said town of Greenwood or not met for lawful or peaceful purposes are hereby commanded to disperse and depart to their respective places of abode, and all officers of the law especially directed or commanded to enforce any legal process or perform any other official duty in connection with the enforcement of the law for the collection of taxes and for the preservation of public peace are hereby ordered and commanded to do the same and to give no help, aid or recognition to any person or persons attempting, combining or conspiring to resist or defeat due process of law.      Given under my hand and the privy seal of the State, at the Capitol, in the city of Albany, this eleventh day of February, in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-two. ALONZO B. CORNELL      By the Governor – HENRY E. ABELL, Private Secretary. New York Herald (New York, NY) February 14, 1882, pg. 7. STEUBEN COUNTY TROUBLES. WHY THE TOWN OF GREENWOOD WAS DECLARED IN A STATE OF INSURRECTION.      BATH, N.Y., Feb. 15. – The township of Greenwood, in Steuben County, a peaceful, agricultural community, with a population of 1,400, is assessed at a valuation of $260,000. A bond tax of $8,000 is now sought to be collected. In 1872 the town was bonded for $30,000 for the Rochester, Hornellsville and Pine Creek Railway, the Commissioners issuing bonds in violation of an agreement not to do so until the legality of the acts of the County Judge had been tested. In November, 1873, the Court of Appeals decided that the bonds were illegal. In May, 1874, the Legislature passed an act legalizing the acts of the Commissioners. The town continued to litigate, and only a few months ago, when all legal remedied were exhausted and the legality of the bonds was sustained, the railroad was abandoned, the town having nothing to show for its bonds except a few miles of inexpensive grading. The bond tax has been spread upon the rolls a number of times, but the inhabitants refused to pay it, while paying the State and county tax. The Collector made levies and advertised the sales, but there were no bidders. The tax-payers assembled in large numbers for intimidation, and one would-be bidder was knocked down. In April, 1878, the Sheriff attended the sales with a posse of 50 men, but the Collector, who was in sympathy with the tax-payers, claimed that the levies were not legal and let the sales go down. On Feb. 7 the Collector advertised 92 sales. The Sheriff attended with 12 Deputies. Two hundred and fifty tax-payers were present, many carrying clubs. One man bid, when he was jostled by the crown and dared to bid again. There was no more bidding. The Collector advertised 98 sales for to-day. The Deputy Sheriff attended with a posse of 40 men, at an expense of $500 to the county. Two hundred and fifty tax-payers also attended and were quiet and orderly. The Collector claimed that he was not sure of the legality of the levies, and adjourned the sales indefinitely. The New York Times (New York, NY) February 16, 1882.

1900

(Reprinted from the Canisteo Times of June 28, 1900.)      GREENWOOD:  Misses Sarah and Grace Kellogg have returned home, having closed their schools at Sayville and Huntington, L. I. Canisteo Times (Canisteo, NY).

1904

21 YEARS AGO IN CANISTEO (Reprinted from the Canisteo Times of June 29, 1904.)      GREENWOOD:  F. G. Miller has bought Barney O'Hargan's undertaking business at Rexville and will maintain a branch there.      Dr. James H. Kellogg has decided to locate at Bemus Point on Lake Chautauqua to practice. He is a graduate from the University of Buffalo. For several months he has been in the Dakotas. Canisteo Times (Canisteo, NY) 1925.

1911

GREENWOOD NEWS NOTES Budget of Interesting News Gathered in a Busy Village and Thriving Town. - The Going and Coming of Residents and Visitors and Church and Lodge News.      Ruth Fitzpatrick of Hornell was in town last week.      Silas Kellogg was in Hornell Thursday on business.      Stephen W. Kelly returned to his home at Ontario last Saturday after a short visit with friends in town.      Davis Webster returned to Elmira last week Monday, having spent some time with his mother in this place.      Claude Blowers and family of Brownsville, Texas, have been visiting relatives in town for a few days.      Harvey Goodno of Canandaigua spent last week in town, the guest of his mother Mrs. Estelle Griswold.      There has been a large amount of maple syrup and sugar made here this year and it was of fine quality.      Elias Hilliker was in Canisteo last Friday on business.      John Harkenrider of Rexville was in town Wednesday.      Several out of town people spent Easter in this place.      Frank Cole made a business trip to Hornell Wednesday.      Jas. Shanley of East Greenwood was in town Thursday.      George Case of East Greenwood was in town Wednesday.      Robert Caffery of West Hill was in town last week Tuesday.      Mrs. M. M. Tyler and daughter Ruby were in Hornell Thursday.      Perry Freeland of Woodward Hollow was in town Wednesday.      Charles Barnes of West Jasper was a visitor in town Friday.      Supervisor J. K. Miller was in town Saturday on official business.      W. J. Holt was a business caller in Canisteo Friday and Saturday.      The W. C. T. U. met at the M. E. parsonage Wednesday afternoon.      Will Slocum of West Jasper was a business caller in town Saturday.      Mrs. Michael Keefe of Rexville was a pleasant caller in town Saturday.      Leonard Dennis and Joseph Sweeney spent Wednesday in Canisteo.      Ex-supervisor Resolvo Wyckoff of Jasper was a recent visitor in town.      Jas. Dunnigan of Dryden Hill was a caller in town last week Tuesday.      Marshall Barnes of Jasper was in town last week Tuesday on business.      Alexander Brown of Rock Creek made a recent business call in town.      Thos. McCaffery of West Union was in town last Wednesday on business.      Ralph Hale and family spent Wednesday at the home of Jerome White.      Thomas Fitzpatrick of West Trouopsburgh was in town one day last week.      Miss Nettie Cline of Hornell is visiting her sister Mrs. F. E. Carney.      Wilson Woodward of Woodward Hollow was a caller in town Wednesday.      Mrs. A. B. Karlen and Mrs. Robert Holly were visitors at Hornell Saturday.      Mr. and Mrs. Arthur York of West Greenwood were visitors in town Friday.      Oscar Banks of West Jasper was in town last week Tuesday on business.      Mr. and Mrs. Seymour Dennis were at West Jasper last Tuesday on business.      Mr. and Mrs. John McCormick of Wheeler Hill were callers in town recently.      Homer Donaldson of West Hill was among the business callers in town Friday.      Raymond Keenan of West Union was greeting friends in town Wednesday.      Anna L. Stephens of Bennetts was a guest of Hazel Updyke last week Tuesday.      Mr. and Mrs. George Kelly were in Canisteo one day last week on business.      Attorney Ray Woodbury of Hornell was in town last Thursday on business.      Charles Kellogg of Friendship spent Friday with Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Scribner.      Dennis Dempsey of West Troupsburgh was a business caller in town last week.      Mrs. Miner Shaw and Mrs. E. W. Plaisted were visitors in Hornell last Wednesday.      Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Bunker of West Hill were business callers in town Wednesday.      Mrs. M. S. Williamson is visiting her daughter Mrs. Marshall Barnard at Canisteo.      John McCaffery of West Union was among the prominent farmers in town last Friday.      Harold Hoyt of Hornell was the guest of N. E. Coston and family over Sunday.      Supt. of highways R. P. Stephens with a large force of men is working the highways.      James Donnelly, a prominent West Union farmer was a recent business caller in town.      David H. Parshall commenced sawing the large stock of logs in his mill yard last week.      Farmers are busy now with spring plowing. Farming is very backward here this spring.      Chas. Kellogg of Friendship was the guest of E. M. Scribner several days last week.      J. M. Atkins of the firm of White & Atkins was a business visitor in Hornell Friday.      E. M. Scribner is preparing to build a cattle shed 18x44 feet on his farm near Jasper.      Leonard Dennis and Robert Holley were in Canisteo Wednesday to have dental work done.      Jas. McCormick, a prominent farmer of Wheeler Hill was in town on business Thursday.      Ex-supervisor Philip Conway of West Union was a visitor in town last week Tuesday.      Stephen Kelly of Toronto is spending the vacation at the home of Mabe ...      L. G. Burton and family have moved from Greenwood to Waverly. Mr. Burton has been a life long resident of this locality and his many friends regret to have him and is family leave. We congratulate Waverly on securing a family of good citizens. He is employed by the International Harvester Co. and is obliged to move there to serve his territory.      Leo Birmingham of Jasper was in town Wednesday.      Raymond Colegrove and Jas. Dempsey of Troupsburgh were business callers in town Friday.      Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Reiman and baby of Jasper visited his mother Mrs. Marion King here last week.      Mrs. Allie Scott and Mrs. Frank VanFleet of Rexville were visitors in town last Wednesday.      Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Scribner of Christian Hollow were visitors in town one day last week.      Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Barnard of Canisteo were in town several days last week, guests of relatives.      Minnie Ersley who attends Alfred University, is spending the vacation at her home in this place.      Woodward & Young have a large gang of men at work digging the ditch for their water plant.      Leon Dennis of West Jasper was in town last Saturday and purchased a new Oliver sulkey plow.      Mrs. Belle Platt and Mrs. A. M. DuPay of Hornell spent Easter with their sister, Mrs. W. J. Holt.      Farnham Brundage of Genesee was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. George Brundage a few days last week.      Will Scott, A. L. Lewis, Robert Holley, and Wm. Taylor were in Corning last Thursday as witnesses in a damage suit of Johnathan Marlatt vs. the Erie Railroad Company. Canisteo Times (Canisteo, NY) April 19, 1911; Greenwood Page. MASONS MEET AND BANQUET THE VISITATION OF HIGH OFFICIAL TO THE GREENWOOD MASONIC LODGE. The Third Degree Worked Wednesday Night After Which an Enjoyable Banquet Was Served to The Members and Guests. - Several Out-of-Town Guests Present.      GREENWOOD, N. Y., April 18. - Wednesday night was a red letter occasion in the history of the F. & A. M. lodge of Greenwood when the official visit of the district deputy was made, the third degree was worked and a banquet followed the labor.      District Deputy Grand Master W. A. Rogers of Hornell was present in his official capacity. That other sterling and well known Mason, R. W. P. M. Nast of Hornell, accompanied him, and there were also present from Hornell: B. L. Goff, George Alvord and Ray Woodbury. There were also present from Whitesville the following brothers: Hazelton, Glenn Bassett, Herbert Robbins and L. Allen.      The third degree was worked upon one candidate, A. B. Karlen. Following the initiation the craft was called from labor to refreshment and a fine banquet was served. In all it was an occassion long to be remembered in local Masonic circles and indicates that the Greenwood lodge is soon to enter upon a career of uninterrupted growth and prosperity. Canisteo Times (Canisteo, NY) April 19, 1911; Greenwood Page. Approaching Marriage.      Mr. and Mrs. Samuel S. Pease announced the engagement of their daughter Mabel A. to Stephen W. Kelly Jr. of Ontario. Mr. Kelly is a mechanical engineer and a well known and popular young man of Ontario. Miss Pease is an amiable and cultured young woman who has many friends and acquaintances in this and other cities who extend their hearty congratulations. Canisteo Times (Canisteo, NY) April 19, 1911; Greenwood Page.

1923

21 YEARS AGO IN CANISTEO (Reprinted from The Canisteo Times of Wed., Feb. 14, 1923.) GREENWOOD:      Mrs. Marie Fulkert, 84, died at the home of her daughter Mrs. A. B. Karlen, Tuesday, Feb. 6. Besides Mrs. Karlen, a son John Fulkert of Trenton, survives.      There are nearly a hundred cases of either flu or grip in town. Among those on the sick list are: Silas Giles, Atty. Wm. G. Kellogg and son Billy, Mrs. Guy Plaisted, Miss Emma Preston, Mrs. Ransom Sweet, Mrs. Fred White.      Shirley Rose of Canisteo has hired the Masonic hall and will have a dancing class there Friday evening.      Misses Catherine Goodno, Helen Byron, Ruth Potter, Thomas Coleman, James York, Harry Colebert attended the Grange dance in Cansiteo Friday evening. Canisteo Times (Canisteo, NY) 1944.

1930

WEST GREENWOOD      Mr. and Mrs. Edward Padden and 3 children spent Sunday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. O'Dell on Dryden hill.      Mrs. Ada Atherton spent the weekend at her home at Adrian.      Louise Hyland has been staying at Andover a few days, where she is trying regents.      Frank Northup and daughter, Mona, were in Andover Wednesday.      Mrs. Eldred Paddon, son Eldred jr. and Robert O'Dell, were in Andover, Tuesday.      Mrs. Grace Brewster and daughter, Idnett, spent Monday with Mildred Coombs.      Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Davis and son Fred, spent the week end at the home of their daughter in Hornell.      Howard Warriner, William Hyland, Frank Northup and Clayton Brutsman helped Clarence Brutsman buzz wood Wednesday.      Mr. and Mrs. John Williams and Iva Neidman, were out-of-town callers, Saturday.      Mrs. Will O'Dell, daughter Frances and son Richard spent Tuesday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Edward Padden.      Mr. and Mrs. Fred Brewster and family, were Tuesday evening guests of Mr. and Mrs. Lester York.      Mrs. Gladys Brown and daughter Veronica have returned to their home on King Hill after spending some time at the home of her father, Fred Conrad.      Grange meeting was held at the West Greenwood Grange hall, Saturday evening. Canisteo Times (Canisteo, NY) February 6, 1930, page 7, col.1.

UNKNOWN 

MAN GORED BY A MAD BULL Floyd Pease of West Hill Near Death When Attacked By An Infuriated Animal. The Bull Gored Him Dreadfully, Broke His Arm and Leg And Inflicted Injuries On Him That Came Near Resulting Fatally. - Is Recovering.      GREENWOOD, N. Y., JUNE 27 - Floyd Pease, a well known farmer of West hill in this town, was terribly gored by his herd bull on Tuesday of last week and the only thing that saved his life was the fact that the bull was dehorned. For a time it was feared that his injuries would prove fatal, but he is now recovering. He was fortunate to escape with his life.      Mr. Pease has a fine Holstein herd and when the testers came to give the tuberculine test Tuesday he went to drive the cows into the barn. There is a wet spot near the barn, which is very fortunate for him, as the bull attacked him in that place and the damp ground helped to save Mr. Pease from the force of the blows. Besides, there was a short chain in the bull's nose which hindered the infuriated animal somewhat. Several of Mr. Pease's ribs were broken and he was terribly bruised and lacerated. Canisteo Times (Canisteo, NY).