TEXAS VALLEY, AND MR. FRISBIE'S DEFENSE

 

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, December 22, 1899.

TEXAS VALLEY.

A History of the Town and Its Early settlers, and Mention of Many Who are to-day Prominent as Business Men or Residents.

   Five miles north-east of Marathon lies the quiet hamlet of Texas Valley. The settlement is one of the oldest in the county and dates back early in the year 1800. At this time Texas Valley was a place of considerable importance and boasted of more business than Marathon proper. Settlements in the hamlet were made very early. It was the central point of the old town of Cincinnatus when it comprised Willett, Freetown and Marathon, and about the time of the organization of Cincinnatus in 1804, several families came in and settled at or near that point. This hamlet was located upon the old state road and at one time bid fair to become a large and prosperous village, but other settlers seeing the advantage of the neighboring valley chose rather to settle near the large rivers, and soon a settlement was established where the village of Marathon now stands.

JONATHAN LEACH.

   Prominent among the early pioneers of Texas Valley we desire to speak of Jonathan Leach, who came from Massachusetts in 1800 and settled upon a tract of land one mile south of the present Village of Texas Valley. Mr. Leach was a man of sterling qualifications and did much to advance the interests of Texas Valley. With Mr. Leach came four other families, and soon the work of clearing up the vast forest was begun. Jonathan Leach became the father of six children, three boys and three girls, as follows: Charles, Lydia, Eunice, Jonathan, Eliza and Christopher. Christopher W., the youngest son, remained at home and at the death of his father purchased the homestead. At an early age he was married to Miss Lucetta Livermore of German. Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leach in the following order: Nancy, Eunice, Mariah, Louis, Abel, James, Adin, Jonathon E. Eliza, Samuel, DeEtta, Thomas N. and William. Of these, Mariah, Louis and Samuel are now deceased. All are highly respected citizens and have done much to advance the prosperity of the towns in which they reside.

ABEL LEACH.

   "Abe" Leach, as he is familiarly called, is now the clerk of the Cortland House, which position he satisfactorily filled for many years during the proprietorship of Deloss Bauder.

THOMAS N. LEACH.

   Thomas N. Leach has for many years conducted the restaurant at the D. L. & W. depot. He has a fine home on Arthur-ave., and is highly respected by all who know him.

J. E. LEACH.

   J. E. Leach still resides upon the homestead and is a prosperous up-to-date farmer. He is thoroughly in sympathy with any movement by which the condition of the farmer can be improved, and his home is a model of neatness. Mr. Leach is acknowledged to be one of the most influential residents of Texas Valley and his advice on all matters is eagerly sought.

WILLIAM LEACH.

   William Leach also resides upon a pleasant farm in Texas Valley. He is employed in the harness business at Marathon and daily drives between the two places.

THOMAS FRENCH.

   Thomas French, a man well advanced in age and with a large family, moved to Texas Valley early in 1800. He erected a small frame house and for a time conducted a tavern. His son Calvin succeeded him in the homestead.

OTHER EARLY SETTLERS.

   A few years later a man by the name of Hammond moved to the center, as Texas Valley was then called, and for some years conducted an inn. He was also engaged in tanning and boot and shoemaking.

   Dr. Mordecai Lowe located at Texas Valley in 1812 and for many years practiced medicine in that locality. He was the only resident physician in that section for many years.

   The Bartons were among the early settlers. Moses Barton was a man of considerable ability and occupied the responsible positions of justice of the peace and county judge. Wm. Barton, Jr. was also a justice of the peace and in 1884 was elected member of assembly.

   Samuel Edwards with his sons were early settlers at the center, coming to Texas Valley at the same time with Thomas, Alexander, Jonathan and Timothy Leech. The Leach brothers were all large, powerful men, well fitted for the laborious task of clearing up the native forests.

   Simon, Gideon, Issacher, Isaac and Jonah Meacham settled near Texas Valley early in 1800. They located near Merrill's Creek. Jonah kept a tavern for a time where Homer Wightman's cheese factory is now located.

TOOL FACTORY.

   Early in the year 1800, Texas Valley boasted the possession of a tool manufactury of considerable magnitude; in fact the largest in Cortland county. This was owned and conducted by Wm. Grant and Perry Babcock. Here the first tools in the county were made, and their trade extended throughout Central New York.

OTHER BUSINESS INTERESTS.

   The old hotel property was some years ago purchased by Wm. J. Holmes and converted into a private dwelling house, where he and his family now reside. The business of the town consists of two stores, a well equipped creamery and cheese factory, a saw mill and blacksmith shop.

GEO. W. DELAND.

   Geo. W. DeLand, the owner and proprietor of one of the stores, is a former resident of Lapeer and for many years was a prominent teacher, being employed in various towns in the southern part of the county. Several years ago he removed to Texas Valley and has built up a large and flourishing trade. Mr. DeLand was appointed postmaster in 1890 and held the office for two years or until the election of Grover Cleveland. The office was then turned over to M. J. Glover. In May, 1896, Mr. DeLand was again appointed postmaster and still holds the office. He carries a full line of dry goods, groceries, gent's furnishings and boots and shoes.

H. C. DILLENBECK.

   On the opposite side of the street is situated the store of H. C. Dillenbeck. Mr. Dillenbeck acted as postmaster for several years under the Democratic administration, and is prominently identified with the Democrats of the county. He carries a general line of goods and enjoys a large trade among the surrounding farmers.

   A large creamery is situated in the immediate village of Texas Valley, and enjoys a large patronage. The officers are L. L. Harvey, president; W. M. Mynard, secretary; W. M. Mynard, Thomas Johnson, salesmen. Mr. Harvey has had a long experience in the butter and cheese business, and always turns out first class goods. Regular salesmen are annually elected by the patrons, who dispose of the products from time to time.

   The only blacksmith shop in the place is owned and conducted by Herbert Hillsinger. All kinds of repairing is done in connection with horse-shoeing.

HOMER WIGHTMAN.

   About one mile south of the postoffice is located the beautiful farm of Homer Wightman. Mr. Wightman has been a resident of the town for many years and has by steady application to business amassed a comfortable fortune. His farm is under a high state of cultivation and his buildings all in excellent condition. A cheese factory is located upon the farm, which is conducted by Mr. Wightman during the summer months.

JAMES LIVINGSTON.

   The large saw-mill located just east of the village is owned and run by James Livingston of Marathon. Many thousand feet of logs are during the winter months converted into lumber at this mill and find a ready sale at Marathon. Mr. Livingston is also owner of the foundry and machine works at Marathon and enjoys a fair trade in that line.

CHURCH.

   Only one church is located in Texas Valley. Regular services are held every Sunday under the care of Rev. Mrs. Blue. The membership is small, but consists of some of the most substantial citizens of Texas Valley.

PRESENT FARMERS.

   The residents of Texas Valley are largely engaged in agriculture and many fine farms can be seen in that locality. On the road leading to Marathon are located the farms of William Leach, F. H. Brown, Russell Quinn, Davidson Bros., John P. Allen, Homer Wightman, Dudley Wightman, John Ditrich and Dubois Montgomery.

   We wish to speak particularly of the excellent farm buildings on the farms of F. G. Carter, Davidson Bros., John P. Allen, Homer Wightman and DuBois Montgomery. They are large and convenient and speak well for the thrift and success of their owners.

   South of Texas Valley lies the old Leach homestead of which notice has been previously made in this article. This farm is now the property of J. E. Leach, one of the representative men of the county. Mr. Leach is an up-to-date farmer and endeavors to avail himself of all the improved ideas of modern agriculturists. He desires to keep in advance in the march of improvement, rather [than] follow in its wake. He is well posted in all matters, and being a fine conversationalist can interest and instruct any with whom he may chance to meet.

   South of Mr. Leach is the farm of E. S. Jones. This farm is also well kept and highly productive. Passing east from the Leach hill road we find the farms of Clarence Glover, M. J. Edwards, Maurice Johnson, John Barry, Frank and Geo. Strough, John Flavin, Thomas Johnson, Mrs. Geo. W. Seeber and Hiram Tiffany. Mr. Johnson has a large and productive farm in which he takes much pride. His buildings have been extensively repaired during the last year, and now are second to none in that locality. The Hiram Tiffany farm is worked by Mr. Horace Tiffany, a man well and favorably known in the southern part of the county.

   Passing north from Texas Valley we pass the farms of W. M. Mynard, Martha Davidson, David Mathews, James Ryan, Jesse Courtney, Geo. H. Brooks, (farm worked by Ed. Maricle), Geo. Watson, Charles Cole, Alonzo Price, Adelbert Barnes, Frank Gardner, Oscar Gardner, M. A. Mynard, H. Petrie, J. D. Edwards, Uriah Bowdish, C. W. Bowdish, William May, J. B. Reagan, Nelson Slocum and Hervey Seeber. Many of these farms are extensive and have fine farm buildings located thereon. Especial mention should be made of the farm of J. D. Edwards, which is second to none in the town of Freetown.

   North-east from the village are located the farms of Oscar Ford, John Smith and Elihu Sweet.

   North-west of Texas Valley, on or near the road to Galatia, are the farms of A. E. Delevan, Albert Delevan and Mark Storer. This comprises most of the farmers who reside in the immediate vicinity of Texas Valley, and who receive their mail from that office.

   The following are residents of the village: W. M. Mynard. J. R. Holmes, Mrs. Brooks, Miss Rankins, Mrs. Weeks, W. H. Tompkins. H. G. Hillsinger, L. L. Harvey, Mrs. A. L. Harvey, W. J. Holmes, David Wallace, M. J. Edwards, William Beach and E. S. Johnson.

W. N. MYNARD.

   W. M. Mynard is also the owner of a large farm just outside of the village and is a highly respected and prominent citizen. He is closely identified with the business interests of Texas Valley, being secretary of the creamery and cheese factory.

   David Wallace is an old soldier and for many years has carried the mail between Texas Valley and Marathon.

   In the early days of Texas Valley more business was transacted at that point than at Marathon or Cincinnatus, but owing to railroad facilities at Marathon, and superior water power, that village soon out-stripped her neighbor, and now the future of Texas Valley can scarce bring forth any marked degree of improvement. The residents are industrious, law-abiding people and enjoy as best they can the fruits of their labors. In their quiet homes they are not disturbed by the attendant excitement always to be found in the larger towns and therefore are privileged to employ their spare time in reading and in social intercourse with their neighbors.

 

Cortland County Almshouse and Farm.

MR. FRISBIE'S DEFENSE.

The Superintendent of the Poor Replies to the Criticisms Upon His Management of Affairs.

   To the Editor of the Cortland Democrat:

   Upon the urgent request of my friends, and in justice to myself and to my constituents, I herewith enclose for publication a reply to an article appearing in your issue of the 8th inst., and will endeavor to explain some of the charges made against me. I will in comparison quote from the report of Ex-Supt. of the Poor O. P. Miner to show that my expenses for maintaining the office were as proportionately small as those of any other superintendent, and will say that the report submitted by me to the board this year contained all expenses for the year, all bills were paid, and at the time of the submission of my report there were no outstanding accounts held back for the purpose of deception or of making the expenses of my administration appear small. I submitted an honest and accurate report, and when the supervisors considered it, they had done with the year's bills of my department, and will not have $1,000 or $2,000 of old accounts to consider next year.

   The first point brought forward in your article is a comparison of the weekly per capita expense of maintaining the inmates at the almshouse, and to make the point more clear I will compare with the report of the year 1897, which shows no distinction between county and town poor, such distinction going into effect Jan. 1, 1898.

   When the annual report is made under the present system, it does exactly what is highly important to the taxpayers, viz: Brings all outstanding bills forward. As an illustration, suppose during the present year a certain town has five inmates in the almshouse, and all bills for maintenance are brought forward at the annual settlement; then the amount charged to such town is on a just and equitable basis. But should a portion of the bills for maintenance be held back until the next annual settlement, and the town at that time has ten inmates, it is readily seen that the taxpayers of such town would be obliged to pay a double tax to liquidate the bills held back.

   From Ex-Supt. Miner's report for 1897 I quote: "The number of weeks board furnished at the county house was 2,888 The expense of maintenance, after deducting receipts for board of inmates not paid by the taxpayers, also the estimated am't saved from their labor, and cost for permanent repairs, but not including the products of the farm, was [$3,156.64], making the average expense per week, $1.098.

   Mr. Miner's report as above quoted gives the number of week's board as 2,888, but upon a careful of examination the records, we find that only 2,132 weeks board was actually furnished to the inmates at the county's expense. He also deducts from the total cost of maintenance $587.98, for board and estimated amount saved to the county from labor of inmates. I made no deduction for estimated amount saved by labor of inmates.

   I also find upon a careful investigation that bills contracted from Nov. 1, 1896, to Nov. 1, 1897, amounting to several hundred dollars were not included in his annual report, or brought forward at that time for settlement; these bills should have been included in that year's maintenance.

   The 1897 grocery and tobacco bill of $746.60 is given in comparison with our bill of $1,153.44. I do not consider this a just comparison, as our bill not only includes groceries and tobacco, but flour and all provisions except meats.

   Our drug and medicine bill is quoted at $868, which I concede is practically correct. But I do most emphatically wish to contradict and refute the statement that $75 was expended for cough medicine, as the actual amount so expended was only $21.40,and enough left to last until Jan. 1. Included in our drug bill of $868 was medical appliances, trusses, supporters, etc., amounting to over $80, ordered by the physician. Also an inmate 40 years old was cured of the morphine habit at an expense of about $50.00.

   Mr. Miner reported expenses for drugs and medicines as $214.74. We found an unpaid bill at Sager & Jennings for drugs and medicines purchased from June 10, 1897 to Oct. 2, '97, amounting to $48.25; one at C. F. Brown's of $46.75; and one at W. J. Perkins of $7.21; making his total drug bill for the year $811.95. His flour and feed bill was reported at $181.98. We found at the East River Milling Co. an unpaid bill for feed amounting to $95.94; also one at the Wickwire mills of $88.81, making his flour and feed bill for the year [$886.18].

   He reported his bills for clothing, boots and shoes as $118.54. We found unpaid bills as follows: A. S. Burgess, clothing, $89.82; McGraw & Son, boots and shoes, $69.86; Baker & Angell, boots and shoes, $10.00; making the expense for the year, $237.22.

   Other unpaid bills were found, among which were the following: For dry goods, $26.81, plaster, etc., $9.60.

   These statements regarding Mr. Miner's report and accounts are not given in criticism of that gentleman, but to show the different manner in which our reports were made out, and I leave it to any fair minded reader to judge, that had all the accounts been included in his report, and had it been made out on the same plan as mine, would the supervisors have been so astounded?

   I submitted them the year's bills in one report, instead of two, and the establishing of this unusual custom so astonished them that the cry was raised of "too large expense."

   In reply to the charge of selling off nearly all the cows at bologna prices: Six out of eighteen were sold and we can give no better reason for their sale than that they were rendered unprofitable by old age and decrepitude; and for a complete justification we refer you to the increase in dairy returns for the year over those of last.

   It is also stated that the improvements have not been wisely and judiciously planned and executed. These improvements were recommended and urged by the State Board of Charities, and the statement not only reflects upon the writer but brings in question the judgment of Supervisors D. F. Wallace and A. H. Bennett, who with the superintendent looked over the situation very carefully and planned the work as executed.

   Mr. Bennett in presence of the full board of supervisors was asked if the improvements had been carried out as planned and answered in the affirmative.

   In a bill of groceries for the almshouse two dozen lemons were charged at 60cts per dozen. Since the settlement of such bill no more goods have been purchased of that firm. No 60ct tea has been used in either the keeper's or inmates departments. The nearest approximation thereto was a fractional part of a chest of tea used in the keeper's department at 58cts per pound.

   The resolution of Mr. O'Donnell, though somewhat ridiculous, may prove unfortunate and expensive measure for taxpayers. If the parties in charge of the almshouse cannot dispense the most simple remedies without calling the physicians to make a prescription for every ill and ailment which the unfortunate inmates of the institution are heir to, no physician can be induced to take charge without a material increase of salary.

   Respectfully, MILLS G. FRISBIE.

 

HERE AND THERE.

   The will of the late Mrs. Dr. Bolles will be presented for probate on the 30^th day of February.

   Supreme courts will be held in Cortland during 1900 as follows: January 29, Judge Sewell; May 7, Judge Forbes; October 15, Judge Lyon.

   Of the 150 assemblymen composing the lower house of the next legislature, only fifteen, or one-tenth, are farmers, while 46, nearly one third, are lawyers.

   The December term of county court took a recess last Friday until January 6, when the excise cases of Ollie Ingraham and William Hess will be tried, together with several civil cases.

   W. S. Freer will give his annual holiday party at his hall, Higginsville, Friday evening, Dec. 29, with music by Daniels orchestra. Mr. Freer will most hospitably entertain all who attend.

   The uniform examinations in the first commissioner district for first, second and third grade certificates and entrance to Normal schools, will be held January 11 and 12 at the Normal school, Cortland.

   This has been a most remarkable season thus far. No rain of any amount, no snow to speak of, no mud, good roads, no frost in the ground, grass growing up to December and the winter season at least one-third gone.

   When a local newspaper stands between the people and sharks of one kind and another, the people should stand by the paper. The publisher assumes a risk, moral, physical and financial that no other citizen dares or cares to take.

   The supervisors of the county met Thursday at the county clerk's office to canvass the soldier vole, which consisted of one only. Such votes come high, but the soldier must enjoy his privileges the same as those who remain at home.

   The village authorities will ask Geo. S. Sands, member of assembly, to secure an amendment to the village charter, authorizing the board to issue a bond or bonds to raise money to pay any judgment that may hereafter be secured against the village.

   For the first time in years the Syracuse morning papers now arrive in Cortland before 8 o'clock in the morning, the Post-Standard reaching here at 7:45 by a coal train under the new time card on the Lackawanna road. The scheme is thought to have emanated in the brain of "Doc" Asa White, E. N. R., G. A. R. H., which in plain English means energetic newspaper reporter and general all 'round hustler.