Rev. Scott is said to be the first preacher who visited Sharon Township. He preached in the school near Shingle House.

  The first Seventh-day Baptist Church was incorporated in September, 1883, on petition of Edward Warner, J. J. Kenyon and B. O. Burdick. The church building was completed the same year.

  A quarterly conference of the Seventh-day Baptists was held in their church on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 12, 13 and 14, 1894, conducted by Rev. George P. Kenyon. He was assisted by Rev. Powell of Genesee and Rev. M. G. Stillman of Richburg, N. Y.

  Regular services were held every Sabbath Day at 11:30 a. m., and Sabbath School at one o'clock in the afternoon. Rev. George P. Kenyon was the elder.

  Before 1890, the Seventh-day Adventists had organized in Shingle House and had built their church.

  A Methodist Episcopal Church Society of Shingle House was incorporated in November, 1885. The first trustees were: L. C. Perry, Zalmon Barnes, W. T. Lane, Mrs. Laura Newton and Dr. A. J. Remington.

  During 1886 and 1887, Rev. E. S. Wilcox was pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Shingle House. He was replaced by Rev. J. M. Leach at the conference in October, 1887.

  The regular services in the early years, which were held in the Seventh-day Baptist Church, were Sabbath School at 10:00 a. m. and Preaching at 11:00 a. m., with Class Meeting at 12:00 noon.

  The last of October, 1893, the foundation for the new church was completed. A Christmas tree and dinner were the first festivities to be held in the new church. Frank Voorhees impersonated Santa Claus very well.

  The first meeting of the Baptists in Shinglehouse was held on May 12, 1894, in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in response to invitations issued by E. B. Bockley. The first covenant meeting was held on July 28, 1894.

  The Mission was organized on October 10, 1894, with seven members. The first baptism occurred on October 11, 1894, when Mrs. Frank Bailey was immersed. The wooden tank was built by A. F. Nichols in the old Opera House on Honeoye street.

  The first church was organized on June 4, 1895, with 21 members.

  Rev. F. W. Reynolds of Wellsboro was sent to the field by the Pennsylvania Mission Society on November 23, 1905, and under his leadership a decision was reached to build a house of worship.

  Rev. W. H. Dallman became the first pastor of the church on February 1, 1906. The charter was procured on December 2, 1905, and ground was broken for the new church on July 11, 1906.

  The church was completed on Saturday, January 18, 1908.

  In building the church, the pastor, Rev. Dallman, worked longer, harder, and worried more than any other man in the church or on the building committee, during its construction.

  The first set of officers of the new church was: W. H. Dallman, pastor; W. G. Sutherland, F. P. Ackerman and Ira Kinney, deacons; C. A. Wolcott, Ira Kinney, and George B. Scott, trustees.

  Mrs. Thomas L. Knapp, treasurer; Mrs. Ira Kinney, financial scretary; Mrs. Ira Kinney, financial secretary; Mrs. George B. Scott, church clerk; Mrs. James Staysa, president of the Ladies Aid; John Corwin, president of the B.Y.P.U. and Ira Kinney, superintendent of the Bible School.

  The stone Baptist Church at the corner of Academy and Pleasant streets was opend on January 19, 1908, with union services. A large congregation gathered for the morning service at 10:30 a. m. The afternoon service began at 3:00 o'clock.

  The native bluestone church was erected at a cost of $14000 and the problem of raising the money was long and tedious, eventually being completed in October, 1919. The program and the burning of the mortgage of both the church and parsonage was held on December 28, 1919.

  The church was the first public building to have electric lights and the parsonage was the second dwelling to have them.

  The Baptist Church is very proud to have a missionary on the field in India. Forty years ago, in 1912, Naomi Knapp left for India.

  Sunday, July 27, 1930, marked the deication of the St. Theresa's Catholic Church at Shinglehouse. The building, formerly used as a schoolhouse, the town hall and Seventh-day Adventist Church, has recently been remodeled and was formerly dedicated for church purposes last Sunday.

  The Rt. Rev. David F. Hickey, V.F., L.L.D., who is in charge of St. Bernard's Church at Bradford, officiated at the solem ceremonies. He was delegated to preside by the Rt. Rev. John Mark Gannon, D.D., D.C.L., L.L.D., Bishop of EIre. Monsignor Hickey was assisted by the Very Rev. Edward J. Rengel, V.F., L.L.D., of Olean and the Rev. Father Flanagam of Windsor Locks, Conn. Rev. Geo. Skelley, O.F.M., of St. Bonaventure College at Allegany was the master of ceremonies.

  The servers were Rev. M. E. Dailey, pastor of St. Raphael's Church in Eldred, and Rev. Charles Ward of Bradford. The chanters of the psalms and litanies were REv. Capistran Petrie, O.F.M., of Allegany and Rev. Francis Sullivan, O.F.M., of Washington, D.C. A large number of clergymen attended the services.

  The sermon was preached by Rt. Rev. Monsignor Hickey who explained the meaning of dedication services. He congratulated the people who made many sacrifices to complete the work on the church and also their pastor, Rev. William Coyle who resides at the Church of the Scared Heart in Genesee and also cares for the parish of St. Mary's in Kinney, Pa., and that of St. Theresa in Shinglehouse.

  Father Coyle has endeared himself to his flock by his untiring efforts in their behalf. The respect he enjoys among those of other Christian beliefs was evident last Sunday for not only were lay people present but also ministers of religion.

  A sumptuous dinner was served by Mrs. Anna Kaufman, who has done so much for the parish at Shinglehouse, and by her sisters, Mrs. Kinsella and Mrs. Arnold. They were assisted by their nieces, Miss Margaret Gonter and Miss Rena Gonter.

With the building of the glass plant starting in 1901, Shingle House began to boom. The following items from the files of The Oswayo Valley Mail describe happenings at that time.

About 500,000 feet of lumber to be used in the glass factory came from the VanWormer mill at Ceres. 12 to 15 teams, hauling 1800 feet per load, make two trips a days at $1.00 per thousand feet.

It took eight teams to keep the masons provided with stone and sand. Carpenters were paid $2-$2.50 per day, stone masons $3.50, unskilled labor $1.75 to $2 day. Masons worked 9 hours, others ten hours.

Houses in Shingle House rented from $8 to $12 per month.

In September 1901, the foundation was laid for the Arlington Hotel. Landlord McNamire fed 100 persons at noon at the Commercial House on Oswayo street.

Jones & Newton sold their grocery store to McGregor & Nichols, Charles Sherwood began a bakery near the railroad, Edward Gale of Genesee began the erection of a hardware store and George VanCise moved his barbershop from Parmenter's Cigar store to annex of Failing's Hardware.

Dr. C. A. Crosby came from Oswayo to locate at the corner of Oswayo and Academy streets. Nichols Hall on Oswayo street was completed in November.

Mrs. Sala Stevens, one of the first property owners to sell for building purposes near the glass plant, sold 15 acres at $100 per acre.

As the year ended, there had been 55 dwellings and 12 business places erected. Shingle House had a metropolitan air -- four whistles announced the meal hours during the day.

1902

The big glass plant went into operation in 1902. Mr. Warren Glymph had the distinction of blowing the first glass on January 2, 1902. The first shipment of glass was made on January 20.

Four barbershops were doing business and two more were to open soon. There were 50 regular boarders in the Arlington. It had been equipped with a public bath room and barbershop.

The Pioneer Pharmacy, owned by J. A. Wooward, burned to the ground on Sunday, Feb. 2. He rebuilt across the street to make room for the new bank block.

There were 10 business places near the railroad station in the new part of town, including a bowling alley. The original part of Shingle House is composed of 30 business places. They were a half mile apart.

Blowing in tank No. 2 began on Saturday, March 2, 1902. 200 men were employed with a payroll of $4500 per week. It requires gas from 32 wells to supply the glass plant, and for domestic use.

1903

The United Natural Gas Company began erecting its pump station at East Sharon in January 1903, and the Potter Gas Company in July. Eight carloads of brick from Genesee were used by the latter company.

Kate Newton came from Coudersport in September to clerk in the Pioneer Pharmacy. C. F. Locke came from Oswayo to erect a building between the Pioneer Pharmacy and Jack Russsell's.

A. A. Allen of Olean, who had stores in Hornellsville, Wellsville, Coudersport and Olean, began to build what is now Mom's Kitchen. Work was also progressing on the brick Bank block in the other end of town.

In October, 1903, a road was begun from the old Oswayo to Ceres road and went past the glass plant to Academy street.

Grant Lyon was elected president of the first hose company in Shingle House in November.

In November, 1903, Frank Hallett came from Canisteo and bought the M. L. Wilson fruit store and restaurant of Frank Farley on Oswayo street.

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Haire also came from Buffalo and bought the Locke building on Oswayo street.

H. M. Foltz and C. C. Annesman have formed a partnership and rented the Lyon building opposite the Arlington Hotel. They will do all kinds of tin work, plumbing, gas fitting and bicycle repairing.

1904

What is now the Shinglehouse Theatre was planned by a group of local capitalists in 1904 when they organized to build an opera house at the corner of Main and Academy streets.

Early Simons has purchased a lot on Main street, back of the Arlington Hotel, and will commence the erection of a large livery barn very soon.

Lelon Hitchcock has purchased three lots on East Main street, back of Allen's store. Lumber is being delivered on the ground for the erection of a skating rink which will be 40x85 feet in size. It opened in October.

The porch in front of McGregor & Nichols store was torn down and carted away. A new cement sidewalk will be built across the front of their property. This will be a decided improvement.

The Shingle House Telephone Company has its building completed on Academy street opposite the borough school for its Central office. Material is nearly all here for the completion of their lines in this borough. The poles are now being set on the different streets and the wire will soon be strung, the phones put in and the switch board placed in position.

Allie Osburn has moved her millinery stock into her new store on Oswayo street and is now pleasantly settled.

Clint Clark, who has operated the saw mill at Herring for the past few years, is tearing it down and will move the lumber here to be used in building a flour and feed mill.

Ground was broken in November near the heading factory, and the stone masons are busy building the walls. It opened in April, 1905.

The Hall Association has purchased the two vacant lots on the burned district next to the residence of Charles Grames of George W. Dodge and Cole Bros.

A. Solomon and C. L.  Brown have formed what is known as the Eureka Carriage Company. They purchased a lot of Cole Bros. at the rear of the McGregor and Nichols store, facing Honeoye.

W. O. Stevens has purchased a lot next to J. W. Cole's law office and this week will commence the erection of a store building thereon. The building will be 22x40 feet in size and will be rented.

1905

C. C. Anneman has bought the Hitchcock skating rink and has moved his tinning and plumbing shop there.

The Pioneer Pharmacy will be move from the Woodward building on Oswayo street to the store building owned by Lyon & Martin, opposite Gibson's clothing store on Academy street.

A business deal was made Saturday afternoon whereby Dr. Frank Hallett became the owner of a large livery and feed stable and the resident property of Ed Davis on Church street in the borough, and Davis became the owner of the Hallett Hotel property at Millport.

A. C. Simpson has moved his jewelry store from the McDowell furniture store into the south side of the Pioneer Pharmacy
store on Academy street.

1909

A new meat market was opened opposite Gibson's store by Charles Sherwood.

W. W. Martin, whose drug store was destroyed by fire a week ago this morning, is fitting up the building on Main street
formerly occupied as a hardware store by M. E. Newman and is doing business again.

Kenneth Trask is erecting a building on the north side of the Arlington Hotel, which he will fit up for a barber shop.

The small office building of A. F. Nichols on Oswayo street is being remodeled into a barber shop which will soon be occupied by R. C. Baker.

1910

Work has begun at the corner of Main and Academy streets for a business block 26x60 feet in size, two stories high. It is being erected by Fred Gibson and G. W. Lyon, who recently purchased the J. F. Morse & Son store building at Oswayo, are having it torn down and moved to this borough. The post office will occupy a part of the new building.

H. C. Keller has purchased the Star Laundry outfit of D. M. Simmons and has rented the store building on Main street, formerly occupied by M. E. Newman, and has moved in.

Eugene Barnes of Olean has purchased the C. C. VanDeBoe building and barbershop on Oswayo street, next to the Commercial House. He is moving his family here and will open for business this week.

P. L. Califf disposed of Commercial street to W. W. Atherton of Portville. It was just about four years ago that Mr. Atherton sold the same property to Mr. Califf.

G. S. Faulkner had a meat market opposite Gibson's and the Carroll Clothing Store on Oswayo street was opened on December 14, 1910.

1911

Singlehouse Lodge No. 596, IOOF has purchased a vacant lot at the corner of Academy and Union streets, opposite the new borough building.

Wolcott Gas Company applied for a charter on August 10, 1911. C. A. Wolcott, W. G. Cornelison, G. B. Scott, E. H. Hollingshead, R. G. Worden, et al.

A. T. Jones recently purchased the building located on Honeoye street at the rear of the Grange store, for a machine shop and will move from the Huntington building on August 9.

The Planing mill and lumber yard of F. P. Nichols on Main street was sold to F. H. Failing, C. C. Perry, C. C. VanDeBoe, C. H. Cole and Will Slawson on November 2, 1911.

Sevedra Barnum is erecting a studio next to his father's home on First street, size 16x32 feet.

A. M. Webster sold his draying business wagons and one horse to Will Bly on November 22. Len Root will assist the new owner.

W. H. Shaw and Guy Handley have bought out the grocery store conducted by C. F. Locke and took charge October 2, 1911.

Palmer Window Glass Company went bankrupt. F. L. Bartlett bid in the property and resold it to the Empire Glass Company on November  8, 1911.

G. W. Morehouse bought the store of T. L. Knapp on Friday, February 24, 1911. F. M. Van Slyke had operated it.

Assenbly Park auditorium was built by Failing.

Shaw Bakery was sold to E. P. Huntington in the Fall of 1911.

1912

Insurance Agent Langworthy is occupying the front office in the Charles Cole building on Oswayo street. The Potter Gas
Company has moved its office from this building into their own building at the corner of Academy street and Trolley avenue, near the Keystone Hotel.

Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Hallett have rented their ice cream parlor and confectionery store to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Eberle of Eldred, who will take possession about April 1.

The Shinglehouse Water Company is now owned by Attorney C. C. VanDeBoe, who has purchased the interest of his partners, F. H. Failing and E. T. McDowell.

Mrs. Leona Reed has rented the restaurant building on Academy street, formerly occupied by B. E. Border of Olean and will conduct a restaurant and boarding house.

Lloyd Simmons' Superior Laundry Company of Willsboro will begin operation on September 1, of the new laundry being  started by Johnson and Johnson on Oswayo street, located in the building next to their barbershop.

A new restaurant has been opened in the Hitchcock building across the track from the N. Y. & P. railway station by John R.  Kelly. He opened up for business Saturday, March 9.

1913

F. H. Failing was appointed postmaster on July 9, to take the place of A. W. Briggs, outgoing postmaster.

C. R. Mosch and Company of Galeton and F. D. Coats (manager), of Jersey Shore, purchased the stock and fixtures of the F. R. King general merchandise store in September.

The Huntington bakery was purchased by M. S. Eckert and Frank Freeborn on November 29, to take possession before  March 16, 1915.

Shinglehouse Water Company purchased the Empire Glass Company water system.

The Grand Central Garage is the name of a new firm just organizedin Shinglehouse and is composed of Joseph Henry, Harold King and Brooks Githens. They have rented the Dealing Garage and bought Brown's Auto Supply Co.

  A meat cooler was installed in the Keir and Dodd meat market on March 5.

1914

  C. A. Wolcott broke ground for a new post office building 20x40 feet on Academy street across from the A. Solomon dwelling, on May 13, 1914 and was ready for occupancy September 2.

  Dr. R. Wayne Richards came to Shinglehouse in July.

  John Zw....um purchased a lot of A. F. Nichols, opposite McDowell's furniture store and erected a new building for a clothing store, 24x66 feet which was ready to be occupied in October.

1915

  The Free Library was started in the Council Chambers of the City Building on February 24.

  New street signs were erected. Those parallel to Honeoye are called streets, except Oswayo street. Other, including Main, which has been changed to Puritan, are called avenues.

  The weekly payroll of the factories in Shingle House runs about $6,000, or $24,000 each month. The factories are running steady and turning out a good quality of glass, heading, gasoline, finished lumber, feed and flour, and pumping heads.

1916

  C. F. Locke has sold his stock of general merchandise to H. E. Fenner & Co., who took possesion on September 4.

1917

  The heading mill, owned by Sharon Manufacturing Company was totally destroyed by fire on February 27, including all the machinery and 700 bales of finished heading. Loss was between $6,000 and $7,000.

  The silk mill began operation on February 14.

  C. C. Anneman's plumbing shop and dwelling was damaged by fire on December 31. The loss was $2,500 on the building, $1,000 on household goods and $3,500 on fixtures, plumbing, etc.

1918

  Girl Scout troop was organized in July with 35 members, sponsored by the First Baptist Church. Miss Margaret Holly was captain ad Miss Bessie Norton, lieutenant.

  Dodge Hardware closed out their grocery department.

  Joe Rupert and Victor Freeborn opened a garage in the building occupied by Grand Central Garage, and was known as The People's Garage.

  Bert Clark is remodeling the building recently purchased on Lyon street and will move his garage there from Mill street.

1919

  The large barn, run in connection with the Hotel Imperial and owned by James F. Hogan, was totally destroyed by fire about 3:30 o'clock Friday morning.

  Sharon Mills was sold by C. A. Clark to Harry Kent and John J. Anders on September 17.

  As a result of fire early Saturday morning, Shingle House is without a bakery. Fire was discovered in the rear end of the Model Bakery on Oswayo street by Charles H. Cole, destroying the entire building except the front part, which was damaged by water and smoke.

  The large double store building, owned by A. Solomon, and the storehouse of the A. T. Jones machine shop were damaged by fire. It began business again on April 2, 1919.

1920

  A bookkeeping and statement system was put in use in the bank on November 1.

  The Empire Glass Company of Shingle House became a part of a merger, known as the Inter-State Window Glass Company, when 12 or 15 glass plants scattered through four or five states, merged on December 8, 1920.

  E. J. Davis & Co., has rented and is moving its stock of farm machinery and horse goods into the C. A. Clark building opposite the Kent and Anders grist mill on Mill street.

  In June the W. N. Y. & P. Traction Company began the work of taking up its line in Oswayo and Academy streets, which are to be paved soon.

  A. J. Franz rented the Keir store on Oswayo street and opened on July 17, 1920.

  The brick block on Oswayo street was purchased on June 23, by the First National Bank from Dr. A. W. Smallman of Ellicottville, N. Y.

1921

  The old bakery building of the Model Bakery, sold to Mark and Grant Stevens, is being torn down.

  On August 13, 1871, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones of Singlehouse, at which time no one dreamed that the little fellow was destined to be a big league manager of a World's Championship team, expertly dubbed the Chicago "Hitless Wonders" when he was 35 years old.

  Fielder started at the bottom with other lads of his age on the vacant lots and ball diamonds in this vicinity.

  He played for a number of years with the Shinglehouse team and then one day when the team was playing at Bolivar, and although badly beaten the Bolvar manager liked the looks of the Fielder and secured his services for the remainder of the season and the next year.

  From here he started his climb up the ladder of success by going with Fillmore, Wycoff, Corning, Hornell and Eldred.

  Under his guidance such famous pitchers as Big Ed Walsh, Doc White, Piano Mover Smith, Yip Owens, Roy Patterson, and the famous Nick Altrock, baseball's funny man, were developed.

  Professional baseball was played with Corning, N. Y., and Springfield, Mass., by the Fielder. He started out as both a catcher and outfielder, and to the latter place gained fame as an outfielder, from where he went to Brooklyn in the National League for five years.

  In 1900 he went to Chicago, where, in 1903, he succeeded Jimmy Callahan as manager during the season of 1903 and for five years he kept his post as manager, winning two league pennants and one world championship.

  To start with, there were four clubs in the American League,which on paper were stronger than the White Sox had been at any time of the season. When a team which figures fifth in the league wins the pennant honestly and squarely against terrific odds, there is a reason.

  With the team batting average at .220 they were dubbed the "Hitless Wonders," but nevertheless Fielder brought them through to win the League and then crumpled the highly touted Chicago Cubs in the World Series.

  A White Sox rally was as the fans declared -- a base on balls, a sacrifice, a stolen base and a long fly. With this famous way of scoring runs Fielder shifted and juggled his pitchers, sent his men out for stolen bases and amazed the opposition.

  By winning the world's championship he has been classed with Connie Mack and the late John McGraw as baseball's greatest managers of all time.

  After retiring from active baseball playing Fielder lived at his home in Portland, Oregon, where he was interested in the timber and sawmill business and conducted his lumber business. In the spring of 1934 hear inflammation caused his death on March 13.

  According to an early history of Shingle House, written by Miss Mollie Terwilliger, published in the 50th anniversary issue of The Oswayo Valley Mail, May 7, 1936, The Shingle House was built below town on the Horse Run Road, but the first settlement of any size was above town, near the present Assembly Park.

  Her mother, Mrs. Fendora Terwilliger, was born here in 1843 and before her death in ___ was the oldest living person born within the present confines of the Borough of Shingle House.

 Mrs. Terwilliger's uncle, Willard Jones, came to Shingle House in 1835 and built a home and saw mill a little above Assembly Park, about two miles east of the Shingle House. Lending further strength to the belief that the community started east of the original site, is the fact that a school house was built in 1837 about where  the new Maple Grove Cemetery now stands.

  When the Honeoye Valley was later inhabited it was only natural that the town would grow and prosper where the two valleys met in a "crossroads" and Shingle House adopted its present site half way between the two original settlements.

  Miss Terwilliger's early history of Shingle House as printed 20 years ago in The Mail, is reprinted in part here:

  All authorities agree that Shinglehouse takes its name (which we may note is the only Post Office of that name in the U. S. Post Office Directory) from the cabin erected in 1806 by one M.
Generet, sometimes called Jaundrie, we believe erroneously.

  This cabin was built of course of logs and covered top and sides with wooden "shakes" riven, not shaved, and tradition has it, rounded at the ends. This house stood, not as it is generally claimed, on the site afterward occupied by a larger building, also shingled, which stood on the south bank of the Oswayo, nearly opposite the  mouth of the Horse Run Creek.

  This house was used as a hotel, also as a boarding house for the lumber and river men, who made up three rafts in a pool below this building.

  The business of lumbering and running the so called rafts down the Allegheny to Pittsburgh and on some times to Cincinnati deserves considerable space in the telling.

  The original white pine forests of the Oswayo and Honeoye Valleys were of the best in the county, possibly of the State, and explains why the northern half of the county was more thickly settled at first than the southernmost.

  Many of us can remember the old stump fences, made of white pine stumps, roots and all, which
in clearing up the land offered a heap and convenient way of building fences and were practically indestructible, yielding only to fire. They offered a safe harbor for weeds, however, and most farmers hastened to get rid of them, when financially able, by burning.

  To resume. The Generet house, according to testimony of "older inhabitants" stood further toward the present sire of Shinglehouse, nearly back of the Haynes' house. Jander Run takes its name therefrom.

  The shingled hotel must have been standing well into the seventies, possibly later, as many now living can remember it.

  The land warrant on which Shingle House was built was owned by Louis d'Orbigny and this name appears in many old deeds.

  The first white settler after Generet was, according to most accounts, a man named Mix, whether Amos or not, we are not sure.   He came some time between 1806 and 1812, and was located a considerable way up the Honeoye and had a mill there.

  Willard Jones came early in the thirties and built a mill not on the site of the Perkins' mill, as some say, but further up the stream, above the Assembly Park, where the present bed of the creek makes a sharp turn.

  Mrs. Fendora Terwilliger was born in 1843 in the house that stood adjacent to the Jones' mill and probably built at about the same time. Mrs. Terwilliger is probably the oldest person now living in Shinglehouse who was born within the borough.

  Near the site of this mill, but nearer the highway as it is now located, was plainly visible within the memory of those now living a circular ridge or embankment of Indian origin, possibly a camping place, maybe a fort.

  The late Amos Newton said he remembered large trees growing both within and upon the walls,
indicative of its age. Many arrowheads and stone utensils have been unearthed there as in other parts of Sharon Township.

  The first school house was built about 1837 by the Jones', assisted by other pioneer families. A Miss Stillman was probably the first teacher. Among other teachers were Amarilla Maxson, Clarissa Leroy, Miranda Jones and Huldah Nichols.

  Probably the Jones families, the Pearsalls, the Nichols, came some time between 1832 and 1836.

  Isaac Jones was the first Post Master at the Post Office situated just east of the present boro line and near the aforesaid mill and school house, but the Post Office was known as the Sharon and not Shinglehouse until in Pierce's administration, with G. W. Mosier as Post Master.

  An amusing incident is told by Miss Newton. It seems in the late forties Miss Newton's mother, who was born Dollie Jones, received a proposal of marriage by mail, to which she never replied.

  When the suggestion was made that the gentleman in question must have had a somewhat  nerve-racking wait she replied with some spirit that "it cost 25 cents to send a letter and that
time she was teaching school for 50 cents a week."

  It is hard to realize today what might have happened to Shingle House over a half century ago had Hiram Palmer & Son decided to locate their glass plant at some place other than here.

  In reading old newspaper files prior to 1900 it seems that Shingle House was destined to be a somnolent little village crossroads town of less than 500 persons.

  Then the news broke that Shingle House was to get the big glass plant, which would employ nearly as many males as then resided in the area. The town boomed, almost overnight, just as it would today should such an opportunity again present itself.   For a vivid description of the feeling of the people here at that time, and a description of the immense buildings, we quote from the issue of The Oswayo Valley Mail dated Thursday, September 12, 1901, as follows:

  Shingle House gives promise of having one of the largest business booms of any town of its size in this section during the next few years. Situated at the junction of the Honeoye and Oswayo creeks, in the extreme northern end of Potter county, where, but a few years ago property could hardly be given away, has suddenly become a mecca of excitement which was beyond the hope of many residents.

  A few years ago the prevailing sentiment was to the effect that Shingle House, like many other lumber towns, "had seen better days," and would eventually drop into obscurity, so to speak.

 But little thought was given to the many opportunities that remained undeveloped. Shingle House residents being an energetic, progressive class of people were soon awake to the needs of the hour.

  They were unanimous in their belief that inducements enough could be offered to secure the location of some manufacturing industries here that would insure the future of the town.

  It was at once apparent that an almost inexhaustible supply of glass sand was within easy access
to Shingle House and the one and only topic of conversation was to secure the location of the glass plant. Negotiations were at once opened with several promoters of glass factories and after a year's delay their hopes were realized, and, today, a plant that will give employment to over 300 men is under construction.

  It is one of the largest window glass plants in the United States and is being erected by the Palmer Window Glass Company. It is expected that the plant will be in running order by the middle of November.

 The factory is located at the east end of the town, overlooking a fine stretch of country along the picturesque Honeoye and Oswayo valleys.

  The building are massive affairs, covering nearly nine acres of ground. The construction work is in charge of Fred and Charles Baker, who are experts  in this line. The buildings rest on stone abutments and very heavy timbers. Over a million feet of hemlock lumber will be used in the construction of the plant.

  The plant will be known as a sixty-pot plant and will manufacture a fine grade of window glass. Two wells have been drilled to the depth of 50 feet, which will supply the factory with water. A reservoir 30 feet in diameter is being erected on the hill above the factory. Water will be pumped from the wells to the reservoir which will be filled all the time.

  A line has been laid from the reservoir to the factory which will give them ample fire protection as the elevation will insure them a heavy pressure.

  The batch house is 120x40 feet and is the building where the sand rock is prepared for the tanks. There are two tank houses each 120 feet square. Here the glass is prepared by the blowers and is then transferred to the  flattening building which is 500x40 feet.

  A portion of one end of this building is reserved for storage. In this department the glass is cut into various sizes and is prepared for shipment. The box mill, where the boxes are made for shipping the glass is 120x40 feet.

  Most of the mason work at the plant is in charge of Kernel Brothers, who have had much experience in that line. The overhead stringers in the buildings are held together by strong iron rod. Most of the roofing will be done with felt roofing with a covering of small pebbles. All of the buildings will be weather boarded and painted. When completed the buildings will present an attractive appearance in their bright coat of red paint.

  When the work on constructing the plant was commenced in July the hotel accommodations were not sufficient to care for the army of laborers to be employed and many private houses were converted into boarding houses.

  Some of the laborers are now comfortably quartered in tents in the grove along the road leading to Sharon Center. Every available room is occupied and today the town presents the appearance of a mining or oil town.

  The tents being only temporary quarters, it is evident that immediate action should be taken to provide permanent quarters in which to house the influx of people.

  Much idle capital that has been stored away for years in this town in now being utilized in erecting dwelling houses and the investors will be handsomely rewarded for their efforts.

  Being located in the heart of the gas territory with good shipping facilities, and excellent supply of good water, the town bids fair to triple her population during the next year. Over 100 men are now employed in the construction of the new glass plant, many of whom will locate here permanently. Over 50 new houses will be constructed during the next few months.

  When the glass plant is in full operation the weekly payroll  will reach many thousands of dollars. Recently, the N.Y.&Pa. R. R. has extended its line to Shingle House and at the present  is grading the extension of its line to Ceres, a distance of five miles. This move will give the people of this town through railroad connections with Olean, one of the best shipping points in Western New York.

  The Sharon Gas Company, which is composed of Shingle House residents is entitled to much credit. It is principally through their efforts that a glass plant was induced to locate here.

  This company owns a number of good gas wells in this vicinity, besides a vast amount of rich, undeveloped territory, and were in a position to offer big concessions for a glass plant.

  Cheap rate of gas is one of the principle inducements for a plant of this kind. But, nevertheless, many other citizens of this town are entitled to their share of praise.

  The plant began operation on Thursday evening, January 2, 1902, and was reported in The Oswayo Valley Mail as follows:

  Amid scenes of excitement and congratulations the Palmer Window Glass Company commenced operations on tank No. 1, Thursday evening. The occasion was ushered in by sounding of the big triple whistle at the plant and the blowers and their excellent coterie of assistants were ready for business at exactly midnight.

  Although the night was stormy, a fair sized crowd was in attendance to witness the making of  the first window glass. After viewing the various sights and asking questions which were  quickly and politely answered by the employees of the plant, the crowd began to diminish, congratulating the Palmer Window Glass Company for locating the plant here and the citizens of  Shingle House who were instrumental in securing it.

 The following names of Glass-Workers were picked at random from a column of Glass Plant New published in the Oswayo Valley Mail when the plant first started operation.

  John Conn, Adolph Siegwertz, John Lunn, John Giraud, Peter  and Fred Schmidt, William Carney, Ernest Barton, Daniel Cummings, Edward Cheesman, Paul McKinney, Frank Tearnet, J. Lawley, G. S. Anderson, Thomas Moffat,

  John Agam, J. H. Parish, Leo Parish, Fred Barnes, W. E. Affligate, J. M. St. Peter, J. J. Beebe, Julius Thiebert, William Myers, Henry Robertson, George Dunham, James McDonald, Tom Flannigan, Joe Smith, John Ault, John Liddon, Tom Seacourt, Adam Moulter, Earl Bowser,

  John Hanna, F. H. Rietz and K. P., Tom Miller, Henry Robinson, George Welley, Charles Higgins, William Harrington, Charles Mayence, William Davis, Casper Copp, Thomas Faul, Skimmer Miller, Joe Eberle, E. S. McKillip.

  Just 50 years ago, in May 1906, the spelling of "Shingle House" was changed to one word, Shinglehouse, as it is today.

  For years we have been wondering how, when and why the spelling of the name of our town was changed. However, we also had faith that some day we would run across it in our files. And we did.

  In the issue of the Oswayo Valley Mail, dated May 30, 1906, the following paragraph was recorded:

  "It may be that some of our citizens do not know it, but the post office department some time ago officially changed the spelling of Shingle House so that it is now only one word, Shinglehouse."

  But for 100 years Shingle House was spelled in the old form as two words. We are not as modern in our spelling as one would think.

  While fires are not the best approach to the history of the business section of a town, they do supply vital information as to who owned and occupied the various places at the time of the fires.

  The first major fire to visit Shingle House came on Thursday morning, April 2, 1903, and wiped out a row of ten business places on Honeoye street at the Oswayo street intersection.

  According to a report in The Oswayo Valley Mail of the same date, published as a extra from the Breeze office in Bolivar, the fire started after midnight in the poolroom of Ernest Eicher following a poker game.

  A scuffle resulted at the end of the game and it is believed that gas pipe connections were loosened and the fire resulted. The loss was estimated at $30,000.

  Buildings standing on Honeoye street and destroyed at the time were as follows:

  On the bank of the Oswayo creek, Hotel Atherton livery barn was saved by a bucket brigade.

  Hotel Atherton, two stories and basement valued at $3500. Portion of furniture and liquor
stock saved. Owned by W. W. Atherton who purchased from Rance Munger about nine months previous.

  Ernest Eicher's poolroom where fire started, owned by Dodge & Cole. Second floor occupied by John Hixenbaugh. Total loss $2,000.

  One story structure owned by John Cole and occupied by Mrs. Lucy Carpenter as a millinery store. Total loss $1,300.

  Next building was also owned by John Cole and occupied as a dwelling by Frank Thomas. Loss  $800.

  Large dwelling owned by George W. Dodge, formerly the Central House. First floor occupied by Harry Merrick and second by Charles Ferguson. Loss $2,000.

  Large general store building owned by Dana Drake and operated by L. C. Kinner. Loss $12,000.

  Two story building owned by  C. A. Harrick. First floor used as a drug store by Fred Rhodes and second floor housed The  Oswayo Valley Mail. Total loss $3,700.

  Dan Fox Restaurant, owned by John McNamire. Fixtures saved. Loss $200.

  Two story clothing store owned and operated by Abe Soloman. Total loss $7,500.

  Two story structure owned by Charles Warner. Housed cigar factory and pool room of Charles Parmenter. T. F. Pierce lived alone in the basement. Loss $1,500.

  Interesting comments on the fire taken from the Fire Extra of The Mail include the following Notes:

  The fire was discovered by the coughing of the children of Mrs. Hixenbaugh when smoke from the poolroom seeped up through the floor.

  There was no fire protection except the Oswayo Creek and the Town Pump located in the triangle at the junction of Honeoye and Oswayo streets.

  The old wooden buildings burned like straw and all ten were a smoldering mass in less than two hours.

  The Nichols & MacGregor store (present Red & White store) caught fire from the intense heat but was saved by a bucket brigade.

  Two months previous Shingle House had voted in favor of a water works but, because of the time of the year, work had not even commenced on the project.

  "Main" Street moves to Oswayo.

  Fire which started on the second floor of the W. A. Nichols store building on Oswayo street at 7:30 o'clock Tuesday evening, March 30, 1909 in one hour wiped out four buildings, entailing a  loss of about $23,000.

  The buildings were the W. A. Nichols & Son block, the C. C. VanDeBoe building, the G. C. Hawley residence and the E. T. McDowell building.

  The first floor of the Nichols block was occupied by the W. A. Nichols & Son general store, the M. A. Presher meat market, and the R. C. Baker barber ship. The second floor was divided into three sets of living rooms, one occupied by B. F. Nichols  sand wife, one by Mrs. Dell Humphrey, the other by Mrs. Carrie Atkins.

  The VanDeBoe building, one story was occupied by Miss Mabel Humphrey's news room.

  The Hawley residence was occupied by two families, G. C. Hawley, the owner, and David Rounds and family.

  The McDowell building one story, was occupied by C. A. Herrick's newspaper and printing Plant.

  The losses are as follows: W. A. Nichols & Son building $5,000, stock of merchandise, $10,000. B. F. Nichols, household goods, $1,000. Mrs. Dell Humphrey, household goods, $500. Mrs. Carrie Atkins, household goods, $400. M. A. Presher, meat market, $200. R. C. Baker, barber tools, $25. C. C. VanDeBoe, building, $900. Mabel Humphrey,  stock, $50. G. C. Hawley, dwelling $2,500, household goods $150. E. T. McDowell building, $800. C. A. Herrick, printing plant, $2,000. E. T. McDowell store across the street damage to front, $150.

  The fire is believed to have started in the living rooms occupied by Mrs. Humphrey, likely from a gas jet. It was a cloth and papered building on the second floor and once the fire started it spread with great rapidity. Mrs. Humphrey was not in her rooms when the fire started and Mr. and Mrs. Nichols were obliged to hurry to the front porch and reach the ground on a ladder.

  The pressure on the water lines was so weak when the fire started that the hose company could do nothing. There was a gate valve closed somewhere. Word was sent to the Palmer Window Glass factory and their pumps turned on.

  As soon as the pressure arrived the firemen did splendid work, saving the Commercial Hotel, just west of the VanDeBoe building, the Dodge barn, and prevented the fire from crossing the street. Had the pressure been normal when the fire started it would have been held in the  Nichols & Son block.

  The fire burning so swiftly made it impossible to save scarcely anything from the wooden building. Nichols & Son saved  few hundred dollars worth of goods; M. A. Presher saved some of his market stock and tools; R. C. Baker saved most of his barber tools; Miss Mabel Humphrey saved most of her news room stock; G. C. Hawley saved most of his household goods; David Rounds saved all his household goods; C. A. Herrick saved his office desk, the newspaper forms, mailing list and files. Nothing was saved from the three suites of living rooms on the second floor.

  The mud was five inches deep on Oswayo street and it was no fun working as a fireman.

  It is just seven years ago tonight that the big fire wiped out the long row of wooden buildings on Honeoye street, entailing a heavy loss. Twice in seven years is enough for this newspaper to be burned out.

  The Fritz building was discovered on fire at about half past two o'clock this Wednesday morning, January 5, 1910, and the alarm sounded, but the strong wind  that was blowing gave the fire such a start that that building and the W. W. Martin drug store, which was within three feet of it, were burned to the ground within an hour.

  The hose company boys who were early on the scene did good work in confining the fire to the building. The wind was from the rear end of the Hawks and Hyde livery barns and away from the buildings across the street.

  The stores of G. W. Lyon and Fred Gibson got pretty well warmed up, but didn't catch fire.

  Some of the household goods and stock in the Martin building were carried out. Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Fritz had just moved into the living rooms over the bakery, and just had time to get out  Themselves.

  Mr. Fritz's loss was about $3,000 with some insurance on the building, but none on his household goods, or stock.

  Shinglehouse was again visited by fire early Monday morning, March 5, 1910, when the Arlington  Hotel was damaged to the extent of about $25,000. At fifteen minutes past one o'clock the citizens of this Boro were aroused by the whistle of the window glass and heading factories and the WN&P locomotive blowing the alarm of fire. It took only a few minutes to locate the fire as it was blazing up through the roof of the big Arlington hotel, the tallest building in Town.

  The hose cart from the Elk Flint Bottle Company's factory and the hose from the window glass factory were all brought into action soon after the alarm was sounded. But the fire had gained considerable headway and the fire streams that played on the burning structure seemed to have little effect at first, but the boys who handled the hose, began to get the upper hand and at about 2:30 a. m. they had the fire under control. They did well to keep the fire from spreading to adjoining buildings. The thunder storm of the evening before helped wonderfully in keeping the roofs of other buildings from catching fire. It was a most difficult fire to fight as it had such a wide surface.

  There were 30 boarders in the hotel an the landlord, J. H. Whitton, and family and the hired help all made their escape from the building without accident, although some of them were quite thinly clad. The fire started in the attic, and its origin is a mystery. It was discovered by a young man named Joy who was in the street.

  Landlord Whitton purchased this property five and a half years ago and has conducted it ever since.

  It was a well built building and one of the largest in town. The fire and water damaged the structure and contents to the amount of about $25,000 so the owner told a Mail reporter Monday.
  There was an insurance of $19,400 on the property, the Mandeville agency of Olean carrying the largest part of it.

  To rebuild the hotel at once is the intention of Landlord Whitton. The barbershop of Ken Trask, located on the north side of the hotel was slightly damaged.

  The largest and most disastrous fire that ever visited Shinglehouse since the writer came  here in 1901, was that of yesterday morning, March 2, 1926, when the Dodge Hardware Company's big store and the First National Bank block were totally destroyed by fire, entailing a loss around $85,000. Four families are homeless and without household goods.

  The fire was discovered by Mrs. William Evans, who was taking care of Mrs. Frank Freeborn, who was ill and who lives just across from the Dodge store where the fire originated.

  The fire was first seen about 1:00 o'clock in the back end of the Dodge store and before the alarm could be given and the volunteer fire fighters get on the ground with their three lines of hose connected up, the store building was a mass of flames and burning like tinder.

  The store was of wooden construction and with an immense stock of paints, oils and varnishes, it went up in smoke like a tank of crude oil.

  The fire fighters very quickly saw that there was no use trying to put the fire out, and not being able to get close to the building on account of the intense heat they turned their attention to the Keir dwelling east of the Dodge store and also the Model Bakery and the Babcock grocery store on the opposite side of the street, all three of which were either on fire or ready for the flames to  break out.

  About this time the brick bank building which stood within two feet of the Dodge building on the west caught on fire at the rear and on the roof and soon ate its way into the building.

  In the mean time Olean, Bolivar and Richburg were called to rush their fire engines to the scene and Bolivar and Richburg were on the scene with their engines within a short time and a few minutes after two o'clock had three streams of water on the bank building and the Keir building, and thus the banking rooms on the first floor of the bank building were saved  although badly soaked with water.

  The entire upper story was burned away and Reed & Gross hardware and the K. E. Newton drug store on the ground floor were destroyed. The front part of the Keir building was saved but the back party, where Mrs. Susie Keir and daughter, Miss Lulu, lived, was a total wreck and most of the goods destroyed.

  There was not much wind stirring during the fire or nothing could have saved a dozen other buildings on the street from being destroyed.

  Although Shinglehouse has no regular organized hose company, it has a bunch of real fire fighteers and no mistake -- they never give up fighting no matter how big or how hot a fire they are up against.

  The Dodge Hardware Company's building was 50x70 feet in size, two stories with basement, and a large store house at the rear, filled with the best  assortment of hardware in the county and one of the oldest establishments in the boro. Their loss was about $30,000 with an insurance of $10,000.

  On the second floor was the Masonic lodge and club rooms and their furnishings, records and regalia were all destroyed, entailing a loss of $1,000 which was fully insured.

  In the Bank Block was the Reed & Gross hardware store, whose loss was around $8,000, partially covered by insurance. The K. E. Newton drug store loss on stock, fixtures, furnishings and a fine library was about $8,000, which was partially  insured. The Bank's loss on their building by water and smoke will be around $30,000, which was partially covered by insurance.

  On the second floor of the Bank building three families resided, and also the law and real estate offices of C. C. VanDeBoe. Very little was saved from any of them.

  John Conner's loss was $1,400 with $250 insurance. Mrs. Fendora Terwilliger and daughter, Miss Mollie, suffered a loss of about $2,000 with an insurance of only $600. Roy Lunn and family's loss on household goods was around $1000 with not a cent of insurance. VanDeBoe's loss on his furniture and fixtures, law library, etc., was around $3,500 and was partially insured.

  The loss on Mrs. Keir's building and goods was around $3,000, with a small insurance policy in the Grange.

  The Model Bakery, the Babcock grocery and the R. J. Clark buildings had their glass fronts broken and the paint badly scorched on the front of the structures.

  The small shoe repair shop of Alex McClure was also destroyed entailing a loss of $200 to $300.

  The Kelley Minstrels, which was put on under the management and personal supervision of J. Russell Kelly at the Star Theater in February, 1916, for the benefit of the senior class of the Shinglehouse High School, was very largely attended. The Minstrel parts as well as the musical numbers were very good and those who took part were given a big bunch of hearty applause when they made their appearance.

  Each and every one of the actors did their turn just about right, the end men, Ralph Lunn, Jack Wilcox, Lloyd Walter and George McEnney, Jr., with J. R. Kelly as interlocutor, cracked some good jokes.

  The vocal and instrumental solos were good. The Rube monologue, "Uncle Bill at Vaudeville," by Jack Wilcox, even made the grouches grin out loud. The program was concluded with a laughable sketch entitled "The Circus."

  The bell and bottle solos by Russell Kelly and the cornet duet by Clyde Trask and Enos Nichols were fine.

  That Shinglehouse has some good local talent was brought out on these two nights.

  In the spring of 1886, John P. Herrick had just completed a term of school in the Brownlee school house, located between Austin and Costello, when he was notified by his brother-in-law, Herbert L. Pearsall, then county superintendent of schools of Cameron county, that his brother A. A. Pearsall, a lawyer, had a newspaper plant for sale at Shingle House and urged John to accompany him to that place to examine it.

  They arrived on April 1st and found Shingle House to be a farming and lumbering community of about 300 population. The plant was located on the second floor of the present Masonic building on Oswayo Street where a weekly newspaper, "The Palladium," had ceased the previous year.

  Prior to that another publisher had failed to make a financial success of the business. The equipment consisted of a Cottage Army Press, with hand roller for each impression and was just large enough to print one page of a seven column newspaper. There was a small job press, an assortment of worn type, case and stands.

  John P. Herrick made an offer which was refused and he returned home to continue his preparations to leave for Edinboro State Normal School on the following Monday, in company with O. A. Kilbourn who was superintendent of the Potter county schools 1899 - 1908.

  On Saturday previous to their departure, Mr. Herrick received a letter from A. A. Pearsall accepting his offer for the newspaper plant. This offer changed his plans completely and he left on Monday for Shingle House to begin the management and editorship of "The Palladium".

  John P. Herrick was only 18 years of age and had no newspaper experience. His first step was to employ Robert L. Earl, and experienced and competent printer and country editor. With a total capital of $300 above the purchase price of the plant, he placed orders for new stock and equipment. The first issue appeared on May 4th under the name of "The Sharon Leader".

  A few weeks of experience in this work brought the realization that Shingle House was too small to support a weekly newspaper, and plans were made to include the village of Ceres in its publication. It had the advantage of two narrow gauge railroads as well as two saw mills, two hotels an opera house, and a number of stores.

  On October 15, 1873, Jerry Barker began the publication of "The Ceres News" a small weekly newspaper, but it had long since ceased to exist. The merchants and business men of Ceres expressed themselves as being anxious to have a local newspaper and pledged their co-operation in its support.

  Frank A. Chapman, proprietor of the Oswayo House, a pioneer hotel in the Oswayo Valley, offered to lease an empty store room in the opera house for a printing office at four dollars a month and to arrange for the publisher to board at the hotel at a reasonable rate.

  Late in July the plant was moved to Ceres and set up in the well lighted opera house block. Two cases of type remained at Shingle House and there on Mondays and Tuesdays Mr. Herrick jotted down the local news, set the type by hand, read proof, and corrected errors.

  On Wednesday mornings the galleys of type were carried by stage to Ceres for use in the "Sharon Leader" which was printed on Thursday mornings.

  The papers were folded, addressed, and shipped by stage to Shingle House for mailing. The "Leader" was entered as second class matter and enjoyed free circulation in Potter County.

  Mr. Herrick usually walked the five miles from Ceres to Shingle House on Sunday afternoons to be at work early on Monday mornings. The stage ran only on week days and he had no other means of transportation.

  Robert Earl had agreed to remain as an employee for only three months. Before leaving he arranged for Harry D. Caskey, a competent printer, of Randolph, N. Y., to take his place. He had served an apprenticeship on a Randolph newspaper and had a flair for turning out artistic printing and advertising.

  He remained about a year before entering the employ of A. J. Hughes who was establishing the Austin Autograph. Mr. Caskey later became the owner and publisher of the paper. The Austin flood of 1911 destroyed his newspaper plant and he moved to California where he resided until his death.

  The name selected for the new weekly in Ceres was "The Ceres Courant." It consisted of four pages of seven columns. Two pages were ready print and two pages were printed in Ceres. The first number was issued on Thursday, August 5. 1886, and carried more than seven columns of local advertising.

  In the spring of 1888, John P. Herrick realized that two newspapers were barely paying expenses. It was then that he conceived the idea of changing the name to the "Oswayo Valley Mail," to cover the entire Oswayo Valley, and increasing the size from seven to eight columns to the page.

  This change required a larger press and new office equipment. He learned that George W. Fries of the Friendship Register, had a second hand Washington hand press for sale at $150.

  Being unable to borrow the money Mr. Herrick adopted the method of saving every dime that came into his possession. When he had saved $60 he induced Mr. Fries to accept the dimes as first payment on the press and to spread the balance over a period of time. This proved to be a turning point in his financial affairs.

  The old Army press was traded for a new display type and larger column rules. The first issue of the "Oswayo Valley Mail" was an improvement in appearance and was favorably received.

  Mr. Herrick next visited all subscribers and convinced them that the newspaper was on a solid foundation and was there to stay. He also suggested that payment in advance might be helpful and many did so.

  On Christmas Day, he had no debts and had more than $1,000 to his credit in the bank. "Nothing succeeds like success" and people like to do business with a winner. Mr. Herrick learned by experience the truth of the saying by Benjamin Franklin, "If you wish to learn the value of a dollar, try to borrow one."

  Mr. Herrick next purchased a lot in Ceres from Mrs. Caroline Smith on which to erect an office for the "Oswayo Valley Mail." The building, 20x30 feet, was opposite the Oswayo House and was built by Benjamin Treat and Joel Price whose wages were $2.50 per day. The rough lumber cost about eight dollars per thousand and the glass front came from an abandoned store building in Richburg.

  In April, 1890, he purchased the Valentine C. Smith house on the New York side of Ceres and came into possession of a permanent home for his mother, sister, and four brothers who had joined him in Ceres nearly two years before.

  Charles A. Herrick, brother of John P. Herrick, was employed in the office of the "Mail" for several years. In February, 1898, he purchased the paper and became its editor and publisher. In 1901, Hiram Palmer and Sons, of Kane, sold their window glass plant in that place and in July began the erection of another at Shingle House.

  Realizing the advantages which this industry would bring to that village, Charles A. Herrick purchased a building on Honeoye street in which he installed his newspaper plant on the first day of the following September. This proved to be a most advantageous change for within a year the population of Shinglehouse had increased from about 400 to 1,500 persons.

  The paper was printed on the Washington hand press, afterward on a cylinder press with a gas engine for power. The type was all set by hand until a linotype was purchased in 1925. Later a newspaper folder, a mat casting outfit, and mailer were added to the equipment. Electric power and lights were installed in 1928.

  On Thursday night, April 2, 1903, the two story building occupied by the "Oswayo Valley Mail" was destroyed by fire and also nine other buildings on Honeoye street. There was no fire protection and the building was reduced to ashes in less than two hours.

  A four page extra edition of the Mail was printed early Friday morning in the office of the Bolivar Breeze, edited and published by John P. Herrick. The Mail continued to be printed there until Charles A. Herrick bought and installed new equipment in the McDowell building on Oswayo street.

  On the evening of March 31, 1909, fire broke out in the second floor of the store building of the W. A. Nichols and Son on Oswayo street, and consumed the Nichols building, the C. C. VanDeBoe building, George C. Hawley's residence and the E. T. McDowell building in which The Mail office was located.

  The paper was nearly ready for publication and while the building was burning Mr. Herrick and his employee, Seymour Osincup, filled in the remaining empty columns and carried the forms to safety.

  Again, as before, they drove to Bolivar where with the assistance of John P. Herrick and his office force the paper was soon printed with full account of the fire and was only a few hours late.

  As there was no vacant building in Shinglehouse The Mail was published in the Breeze office until Mr. McDowell erected a new building on the same site which in July 1909, was again occupied by the Oswayo Valley Mail with entirely new equipment.

  Collins Herrick, son of Charles A. Herrick, began work in the printing office at the age of nine, when he would climb upon a high stool, augmented in height by a large book, and "stick" type after school and on Saturdays. After graduation from high school in 1926 he learned to operate the linotype and to do some writing.

  Joe Herrick, a younger son, came into the office in 1930. Six years later he was sports editor and supervisor of the job department.

  In July, 1941, almost 40 years after moving the Oswayo Valley Mail to Shinglehouse Charles A. Herrick turned the keys to the office over to his two sons and retired from active newspaper work.

  On January 1, 1942, Collins and Joe Herrick purchased The Potter County Journal in Coudersport of Mrs. Laura K. Barton and moved The Mail equipment to the county seat where they consolidated the two plants under the name of Herrick Newspapers. The two papers are still published separately.

  In April, 1944, Joe Herrick retired from the firm and Mrs. Grayce V. Herrick became a partner in Herrick Newspapers. The Oswayo Valley Mail on May 3, 1956, completed its 70th year of service to the residents of the Oswayo Valley.

  When renewing her subscription to The Oswayo Valley Mail recently, Mrs. L. V. Bridge wrote:

  "I want you to know that I appreciate your CLEAN news sheet. I note there is no liquor advertisements. Here is wishing you every success and that you may be able to continue the Oswayo Valley Mail. It is the first newspaper I read -- then it was the Ceres Mail."

  When I was just a tot, my grandmother took me to a home talent play in the old Opera House on Honeoye street.

  All I can remember  about it was Brooks Githens running around with a small oil can, forever squirting oil into his joints.

  Does anyone remember the name of the play, or other members of the cast?

  Of course you recall when Ralph Cooper operated a grocery store on Oswayo street and Burton Newton and his wife, Eva, ran the drug store.

  Will Wandover also ran a grocery store next door, but cam you remember when J. J. Haire had the dry goods store and Andy Simpson, the jeweler, was in the same block?

  Remember when Tony Franz and Keith Foote sold groceries together in the Bank Block. Did they buy it from Roy Babcock, or was it the other way around?

  If you remember when the entrance to the Bank was on the corner of the building your memory goes back over 30 years.

  Have you forgotten that Roy Babcock bought Fred Gibson's clothing store and later moved it where Mom's Kitchen is now, before building the store now occupied by V. L. Howard?

  We missed very few of the Fatty Arbuckle comedies that were shown at the Star Theatre, and we'll bet you didn't either.

  When Bill Merkle ran the poolroom on Academy street he taught a lot of us "young men" how to play billiards.

  Who operated the photo gallery on Oswayo street (now long gone) across from the Masonic Hall. Was it B. T. Barnum? Most of us had our pictures taken there at one time or another.

  Can you still remember how good those home baked pies tasted that were served in the Prion & Russell Restaurant on Academy street?

  You can, without great effort, remember when Ed and Nina Fenner conducted the store now operated by the Market Basket. And you can also remember their famous sales -- but does your memory go back to when it was operated by C. F. Locke?

  Rock and Roll music wasn't even dreamed of in the mid-twenties but folks had a mighty fine time dancing at the Wild Cat and Clara dance halls -- that is until us young squirts began "The Charleston."

  The Wild Cat dance hall was a popular spot for Saturday night dances and an annual picnic but demised in the early thirties.

  Certainly you can remember when Nelt Eastman carried the mail up through Alma to Wellsville, but does your memory go back to Fred Kinnicut -- and George W. Dodge?

  Do you remember when lightning struck the steeple on the Odd Fellows Hall? Not much damage was done, as I remember it.

  Whether Rhetoricals were an innovation at Shinglehouse High School we don't know but we never heard of them anywhere else. Not only do you remember them but probably you took part in them.

  The one part that sticks in my memory was Art Dunn's rendition of the famous "Cremation of Sam Magee."

  You weren't a kid in Shinglehouse unless you remember following the old steam roller up and down the streets. Ira Kinney was about the only successful pilot the steam roller had.

  You're old whether you admit it or not, if you remember Ira Kinney with his stepladder as he went about town lighting the gas lights. Some difference today, both in brilliance and ease of operation.

  Reservoir Hill was used for other things than burning crosses by the Klu Klux Klan. For many years it was a storage place of water for use in the big window glass plant -- and as a source of fire protection.

  Water was pumped from a well on the company's lot and had plenty of pressure when it returned to the plant.

  How many of you oldsters can still dream of those NYP excursions to the Great Hornell Fair? Those were the days!

  We are still disappointed to this day. All because Mr. Bender, who was in charge of the construction of the concrete road through town, didn't have a small engine to haul his train of cars that carried material to the concrete mixer. Remember how they were dragged up the track by a team of horses?

  Remember when us fellows used to leave Shinglehouse on a Sunday afternoon and charge into Buffalo to see a movie?

  I also remember five guys who slept on park benches at Niagara Falls the night before Labor day -- many years ago.

  The year Lynn Chaple joined the Navy, the high school baseball team played on a field opposite the cheese factory. Lynn was catcher -- and a good one.

  L. E. Page's old Model T Ford with the big brass headlights. It was around here until a few year's ago, but we mean when Mr. Page drove.

  William Green stopped to get fully dressed -- even tied his necktie -- before coming to the Bank fire.

  H. P. Toner sold fruit in his store on Oswayo street.

  When the Post Office was next to the Star Theatre.

  When "old Man" (that's all I ever knew him by) Whitton used to sit in his special chair on the stoop of the Arlington Hotel.

  John Kelly sold oysters right out of the shell in a restaurant back of Fred Gibson's store that faced the NYP station.

  Those of you who remember when Bert Davis drove the model T truck for the local bakery, this will make your mouth water when you recall Frank Freeborn's salt rising bread.

  And Al Jones' Machine Shop on Honeoye street! Us kids will never forget that place with all its varied kinds of machinery. And the lessons we learned there, from Al, Earl Williams, Nip Grimes, Albert Myers and others -- if a job is worth doing, its worth doing well!

  The Kelley Brothers Minstrels were the most popular show in this area.

  Jimmy Hogan and the baseball bat he always kept in the bar of the Imperial Hotel.

  Howard Morton had the first Funeral Home in Shinglehouse. Remember when he modernized the room in back of his furniture store. Keith Foote, were you with Morton at that time?

  Gene Barney's Barbershop and Poolroom was at its height of glory when I was growing up.

  Do you recall how you could go in there when Gene, Wardy Howell or Justin were busy, snatch a ticket off the wall and go into the poolroom while waiting your turn?

  The barbers would stick their head through the door and bawl out your number. Chances were you were just banking the nine ball into the corner pocket -- and got a free hair cut!

  Who was it that sold the Maxwells when the old Opera House was first turned into a garage?

  Can you recall right now what year the First National Bank operated where Bridge's Barbershop is now?

  Where did you eat your first ice cream sundae, or drink your first ice cream soda? If Harold Toner didn't make it, then Mrs. Hallett did. Makes your mouth water yet, doesn't it?

  Who remembers Bart's Fun Show that played two weeks at the Star Theatre?

  If you can remember when Kate Newton operated a drug store, it was before the Big Fire of March, 1926, because she did not re-open.

  You and I remember Pete Kelly, of course, but can you recall his famous chant when the Baptist Church sold lunches on the lawn during Shinglehouse's first Old Home Week?

  It has since come down through the years, and I always recall him when I hear a barker shout, "A loaf of bread, a pound of meat and all the mustard you can eat."

  Remember when the library was upstairs in the City Building of that day now houses the first and second grades. I reported my first Council Meeting from that very same room.

  Who remembers a printer Dad employed for several years? His name was Seymour Osincup and he came from Hornell on the train -- not every day, of course.

  I remember my first trip to Buffalo. It was with John Pearsall, back in the days when dealers went to the factory and drove in there own cars. No, I wasn't old enough to drive in one of the new Chevys.

  Remember William Bissenden? The little English Cockney was a house painter in Shingle House for many years and an ardent Odd Fellow.

  Our favorite recollection of "Billy the Business" is when he operated a steam powered merry-go-round on the lot next to the post office. It was owned by the IOOF for several years. In winter time the boiler was used to thaw water pipes.

  There was also another cold trip we made later to Franklinville when "Bang" Langworthy drove his dad's Oldsmobile sedan.

  If you like home made ice cream in the summer time, you will recall when Jim Donnelly ran an ice plant in his meat market where Dodd & Danforth recently held forth.

  I still recall the acrid smell of ammonia, and can still see those cakes of ice bigger than I was.

  Cecil G. Davis later had the equipment and made ice for sale about town prior to electric refrigerators until the plant was destroyed by fire.

  The citizens of Shinglehouse were well pleased in 1904 when their efforts to secure a bottle plant here were rewarded with word that the Elk Flint Bottle Company would operate here.

  It had taken several months of good hard work to raise the necessary money, secure a low gas rate and get a site for the plant.

  Five acres of land on the C. R. Nichols farm near the NYP railroad was donated for the factory site.  $3,000 in cash was raised for the company on completion of the building, and local people went security for a $5,000 loan at the local bank.

  A gas rate was secured from the local National Gas Co., as follows: first two years 7c a thousand, third year 8c and fourth and fifth year 10x per thousand.

  The factory was known as an 8-ring tank, employing 32 blowers. There were 14 shops with three men to a shop, working two nine-hour shifts.

  A total of about 200 men and boys was employed in and around the factory.

  The tank house was 56x64 feet in size, lehr and packing house 40x90 feet, engine and moult room 24x36 feet, material room 40x60 feet and box shop 20x40 feet.

  U. S. Bartmess was the first manager. The payroll was about $1500 every two weeks. The industry flourished for about 15 years, having changed hands several times and was dismantled in October, 1919, and the Oswayo Valley Silk Company's big brick building erected in its place.

  Back during the first half of the 18th century it is said a man named Dedrick built a large two story house on the Horse Run Road, just west of the Horse Run bridge on a knoll. Mr. Dedrick was known as a very rough hard man.

  In those days pack peddlers were very common. There was one who sold jewelry who made it a habit of spending the night with Mr. Dedrick when passing through this valley. On one such occasion he was seen entering the house just as it was growing dark, and was never seen again.

  The house set back some distance from the road with a fine grove of trees in front of it. Soon after Mr. Dedrick sold the house and for several years after the farm and house rapidly changed hands. Some of the owners had it for only four to ten years. As time went on the owners stayed longer periods.

  In a northeast bedroom was a large dark spot on the floor which looked like an old blood stain. Try as one might it was impossible to remove this stain as long as the house stood.

  From this spot drops of the same stain led out of this room past the head of the stairs, back the length of the stair well to a dark closet over the stair well. Here another large spot was found.

  The story became current that Mr. Dedrick had killed the old peddler in the bedroom and dragged the body to the closet and concealed it until he could dispose of it.

  Every family that moved in claimed to hear men fighting in this bedroom and to hear one fall and being dragged around the stairs to the closet. Sometimes they could hear someone walking up the path to the front door but could see no one nor any tracks.

  In 1852 it fell into the hands of Ira Canfield. He kept it six years and sold it to a Jacob Reckhow. Mr. Reckhow kept it four years and sold it to Anna and Henry Edwards. Within the next ten years Mrs. Edwards died and was buried on the farm.

  Mr. Edwards, according to records found, held it the longest period of time. IN 1885 he sold it to E. A. Osborn. Mrs. Osborn and Mrs. Anna Edwards were old schoolmates. Mr. Osborn sold out to his son-in-law, Oscar Bailey, in 1898. Mr. Bailey sold off much of the original farm in lots and small plots. Later he sold the house and a few acres to Charles Haynes.

  It was while Mr. Haynes owned it that the old house burned. Here's hoping the old ghost was vanquished.

  Mrs. Allie Briggs of Shinglehouse, widow of the late A. W. Briggs, who was prominent in politics in the county at one time, was the youngest daughter of Mr. Osborn and was about nine years old when her father moved to this house.

  "When a girl, in my middle teens, I was staying with my aunt, Mrs. Oscar Bailey. One day a lady, a relative of the Canfields, came to call. During the visit I remember her asking my aunt, with bated breath as if afraid the ghost would hear, if they had heard it recently. My aunt replied no. But a short while after, one afternoon, there was a terrific fall or drop sounded through the house which somewhat frightened my aunt -- but I was not quick enough to catch the ghost."

   By Bessie Osborn Dodd, grand-daughter of E. A. Osborn.

  On Monday, June 8, 1903, The First National Bank of Shingle House will open for the transaction of general banking business in temporary quarters in the building now occupied by J. W. Cole.

  For a long time the people of Shingle House and surrounding territory have felt the need of prompt and courteous banking facilities at home. A few months ago a movement was made toward such and institution and met with general favor from all classes.

  Few country banks have succeeded in making so strong an institution as The First National Bank of Shingle House.

  Mr. L. C. Kinner, who for nearly twenty years has conducted a prosperous and honorable business at Shingle House, a man who enjoys in a high degree the confidence and esteem of all, will be the president and will be at the bank in person to meet patrons and direct the business.

  Mr. Charles A. Wolcott, vice president, has for years made his home at Shingle House and has been a successful farmer and dealer in livestock and lumber.

  Mr. G. B. Scott, the cashier, has for years been an assistant in the Union National Bank of Franklinville, N. Y., and is a young man of energy and thoroughly experienced in every form of banking. The support given him by his home people is the best evidence of his ability.

  Among the directors are the leading citizens of this section and also other gentlemen connected with strong banking institutions.

  The Colonial Trust Company of Pittsburgh, one of the strongest and largest in the city, is a large share holder in the bank, while individual interests connected with the Coudersport Trust Company of Coudersport, and the Union National Bank of Franklinville are associated with the bank.

  Your attention is called to the long and strong list of shareholders given herewith and which shows at a glance the success of the organization.

  We solicit the business of Shingle House and vicinity, promising to be in all things prompt, attentive and exact. Furthermore, the depositors of this bank may be assured in advance that all their relations with the Bank will be kept in absolute secrecy, and strict confidence in business matters will be the policy of the Bank.

  The bank will pay three per cent per annum on certificates of deposits for money left six months or longer.

  Statements of accounts will be rendered and pass books balanced each month.

  All checks will be taken at face value from those frequenting the bank and no charges for exchange will be made for such. New York exchange will also be furnished to those keeping balances with the bank, free of charge, and currency will be shipped upon order of any customer of the bank. Money will be loaned at 6 per cent, and good loans are solicited.

  The management invites you to call on their opening day, inspect their safe and learn of what they intend to do.

      List of Shareholders

  L. C. Kinner, C. A. Wolcott, G. B. Scott, J. C. Gadsby, A. Solomon, W. A. Nichols. C. R. Nichols, James M. Tyler, T. L. Knapp, F. H. Failing, G. W. Barnes, W. W. Martin, A. L. Cole, J. W. Cole, J. S. Hickok, F. A. Nichols, G. C. Russell, C. A. Herrick, E. F. McDowell, all of Shingle House, Pa.;

  Ira W. Bixby, Frank R. Bixby, H. C. Pratt, Sharon Center, Pa.; Fred C. Leonard, A. F. Smith, John F. Stone, Coudersport, Pa.; R. S. Litchfield, Thomas Davis, M. H. Chapman, D. L. Spring, E. Chamberlin, A. W. Kingsley, E. G. Kingsley, Franklinville, N. Y.;

  Fred Cline, Ischua, N. Y.; C. S. Persons, Delevan, N. Y.; Dr. W. M. Litchfield, Cuba, N. Y.; G. E. DeGolia, Salamanca, N. Y.; the Colonial Trust Co., of Pittsburgh, Pa.

      Officers

  L. C. Kinner, C. A. Wolcott, J. C. Gadsby, A. Solomon, Fred C. Leonard, A. F. Smith, R. S. Litchfield.

  The only branch of the U. S. Weather Bureau in Potter County is located in Shingle House. Two observations are taken daily by Prof. H. L. Pearsall, who has charge of the local bureau.

  Those who predicted an open winter don't have much to say these days. The scribe of Upper Bellrun is mum also.

  The worst blizzard that has visited this section in half a century was turned on last Friday, February 8, 1895, and lasted until Saturday night. Outside it was bitter cold and a low gas pressure made life a burden to people who tried to keep warm inside.

  A post office was established at Chrystal in the Eleven Mile valley in the spring of 1884.

  Odd Fellows from Oswayo and Hebron attended a wood cutting bee for Mrs. Connors, widow of their late brother, at Eleven Mile in December 1897.

  Soldiers told of a recent trip to Chattanooga at a Camp Fire held in the church at Andrews Settlement in December 1897.

  A bell was put in the Chrystal school house on Friday, April 29, 1898.

  According to the auditors' report it cost Potter County $1452.80 to board prisoners in jail during 1897.

  William H. Hydorn of Hebron attended his first circus at the age of 83 years in Coudersport on June 9, 1891.

  George W. Dodge was appointed postmaster in Shinglehouse in the winter of 1897.

  A Seventh-day Adventist Church was dedicated in Shinglehouse on December 25, 1883.

  2,500 persons cast their vote at the General Election in Potter County on November 6, 1883.

  Potter County supported 158 public schools and had 26 voting districts in 1884.

  While Leon and Ward Cole of Clara were driving cattle to the barn during an electric storm on Saturday, June 18, 1898, one of the cows was killed by a bolt of lightning.

  Judge Charles Lyman, once Associate Judge of Potter County and Publisher of the Potter County Union, died at Wappello, Iowa, in March 1888.

  There were 21 voting precincts in Potter County in 1848.

  A cow belonging to William Stevens of Water street got out of the barn Thursday, March 1, 1916, and went over to the barn of Ira Kinney. Not finding what it was looking for on the first floor the cow made her way up quite a steep pair of stairs onto the second floor of the barn, where she was found later eating straw.

  Stevens and Kinney had to study quite awhile before they decided on a way to get the cow back down the stairs.

  They tied ropes to her hind legs and to her horns and then backed her to the head of the stairs, while one of them held the rope fastened to the cows head and the other jerked the rope first on one leg and then on the other leg of the cow and they finally succeeded in backing her down the stairway safely.