Today’s
Snippet is another that does not require a lengthy introduction. The following
is taken from the Farmer Review Saturday, June 30, 1900. The new school was
being built on the lot two houses north of the Reformed Church. The building
was torn down in 1938 and a ranch style home sits on the site today.
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| Picture postcard with the school building. Interlaken Historical Society photo collection # |
Wednesday,
June 27, 1900, will long be remembered by the people of this section as a
red-letter day for Farmer, the occasion of the laying of the corner-stone of
the new union school building which the taxpayers of district No. 14 have voted
to erect at a cost of $10,000.
The
Board of Education issued an invitation that the corner-stone be laid with
Masonic ceremonies, which invitation was accepted by the Grand Lodge thru
Farmerville Lodge No. 183.
Most
Worshipful Charles W. Mead, Grand Master of Masons of the State of New York,
issued an edict authorizing Most Worshipful William A. Sutherland of Rochester
to conduct the ceremony, which he did in a very impressive manner, assisted by
Grand Lodge officers, the ceremony being witnessed by at least 2,000 people,
while another thousand could not get within the grounds.
The Grand Lodge was formed as
follows:
Most Worshipful. Wm. A.
Sutherland, of Rochester, acting grand master.
Right Worshipful Hiram L.
Hutchens, of Canandaigua, deputy grand master.
Right Worshipful Clarence A.
MacDonald, Seneca Falls, senior grand warden.
Right Worshipful Chas. H. Burt,
of Phelps, junior grand warden.
Right Worshipful George A.
Stubbs, of Geneva, grand treasurer.
Isaac H. Stout, A. M., of Albany,
grand secretary. [formerly of Farmer/Interlaken, see also June
24, 1923]
Rev. F. J. Allington, of
Sheldrake, grand chaplain.
Right Worshipful J. Hungerford
Smith, of Rochester, grand marshal.
Worshipful W. T. Bowlby, of
Willard, senior grand deacon.
Worshipful Charles R. Keyes, of
Lodi, junior grand deacon.
L. F. Smith, Trumansburg, grand
steward
M. W. LaBoyteaux, Romulus, grand steward
Rev. E. S. Annable, Lodi, grand steward
John E. Richardson, Waterloo,
commissioner of appeals.
About 200
members of the fraternity were present and formed in the Baptist church park at
three o'clock and marched to the school house site, in the following order:
Miller
Band, Farmer, Grand Lodge Officers, Lodi Lodge, No. 345, Willard State Hospital
Band, Union Lodge, No. 114, Ovid, Farmerville Lodge, No. 183 [Interlaken],
Visiting Delegations, Union School Scholars.
Four better
addresses were never heard in Farmer. Hon. Wm. A. Sutherland's reputation as an
orator was well known in southern Seneca altho our citizens never before had
the pleasure of hearing him. He was listened to attentively, frequently
applauded and his well-chosen words are treasured in the memory of all who
heard him.
Isaac H. Stout,
A. M., was in His happiest vein as he looked over the crowd, nearly every
person present being acquainted with him, for he was brought up here and for so
many years was principal of this school, and even now he calls Farmer “home.” He was heard with great pleasure. Revs. Allington
of Sheldrake and Annable of Lodi ably represented their calling.
We hear the wish
oft expressed that all the speeches be printed
The
vocal music was under the direction of Prof. J. M. Chadwick. Miller Band did
themselves great credit.
Union
Lodge of Ovid was accompanied by the Willard State Hospital Band, 22 pieces,
under direction of Prof. Wm. White. After the exercises, they favored the people
with a band concert from the Gambee house balcony, which was much enjoyed. They
play a high grade of music, every man proving himself an artist. All hope to
hear them in Farmer again.
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| Cornerstone for the new school 1900 Author's personal collection |
The
corner-stone is from Ohio, of sandstone, and in raised letters shows the date:
“June 27, A. D. 1900, A. L. 5900,” with a square and compass. [Today it is on
display in front of the Interlaken Historical Society’s Farmers’ Museum].
To see a
recreation of this event, plan to attend the Town of Covert Bicentennial
Celebration on Saturday, July 29, 2017, at the Firemen’s Field.
Dewitt’s Diary June 27, 1934-1936
Wednesday, June 27, 1934 Edna went to
the Burg today. I went fishing.
Thursday, June 27, 1935 Helped Willard
put up some alfalfa for the start of haying. A shower at noon. I cultivated
some corn. I caught two lake trout last night.
Saturday, June 27, 1936 Showers this
morning and they are much needed. My oats are ready to head out and only eight
inches tall. Many fields of Spring grain are very poor because of lack of rain.
Corn is very short and a poor stand.
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