July 11, 1977 The Cemetery Lots

 In 1817 Lemuel Bassett brought his bride, Julia Beardsley Bassett, to Seneca County and made their home on the east side of Bassette Road, then a part of the Town of Ovid. In 1843 that road along with others were annexed to the Town of Covert.

Lemuel and Julia had seven children, Pierpont (1818 -- 1881), Marietta (1819—1897), Bennett (1822 -- 1892), Jared (1824—1894), Sarah (1827—1907), Eliza (1833—1907), and Samuel (1836—1865). All are buried at Lake View Cemetery.

Dewitt’s parents were Dewitt and Mary Catherine [Peterson] Bassette who are buried on Jared’s family lot. 

Mary C and Dewitt C. Bassette to the left of the Jared and Mary Bassette monument.
Photo from the author's collection

For several days before July 11^th, Dewitt had recorded the declining health of his sister-in-law Alice R. Burlingame, wife of Lemuel. He noted that she died in Rochester on the 10^th.

Alice R [1908--1977] and Lemuel J. Bassett [1901--1982]
Photo from the author's collection

 The use of the final 'e' on the Bassette name varied within each family group. Dewitt and Myron used the 'e' whereas Lemuel and Pete left it off. 

Dewitt’s Diary, Monday, July 11, 1977

Temperature 60.

Went to cemetery to see about a burial lot for Alice. Lem and my lot will be very near Lemuel B. our great-grandfather who was buried in 1874.

Lots left to Lem and I in 1927.

July 9, 1996 Old Fire House Torn Down

So far this year we have looked at buildings that were moved to new locations, and one that was torn down.

Today we record two more buildings that were torn down.

Some say that a picture is worth 10,000 words…this building withstood the fire of 1880 and served the community for many years. Tucked beside the Wheeler National Bank building it was torn down on June 8, 1960, the date recorded in pictures and in the local paper.

Bergen House on Main Street, built ca 1867.
Other owners: Phil VanDoren, Clarence miller and Charles Wiggins
The Wheeler Bank is on the left and the IGA grocery on the right.
Interlaken Historical Society photo #23. Taken in 1960

The same view taken June 2017, The bank and brick building remain in place. The parking lot is for bank customers during normal hours, and used by others after bank hours.
Author's personal collection.

The east side of Main Street, starting on the left, the Goodman Hotel,
Pritchard Dodge, Wheeler National Bank, the Bergen house building, . 
Interlaken Historical Society photo #103.

July 14, 1960, Interlaken Review, the caption tells the story. “This huge crane made short work of demolishing the building just south of Wheeler Bank last Friday. The heavy bucket use dropped into the building, crushing the material, and loading it aboard trucks…the owner, Mrs. Catherine Cokefair, states that no plans have been made to build on the site and that the demolition was solely for the purpose of improving the appearance of the community.”

Interlaken Historical Society photo collection #113.

Thirty-six years later, another old, well used, but now worn-out building was taken down. While helping clear out old files at the Village Hall I came across a page dated January 22, 1997. It outlined the dates and work done when the old fire house (now the Memorial Garden) was torn down in July 1996.

The Village board met on July 11th and street commissioner reported, “the old fire house has been demolished with not many problems.” Over the next 2 months the follow-up work would be completed.

June 2017 section of the Village Community Garden and the remaining brick wall
from when the old firehouse was torn down.
Author's personal photo collection.

The building was built following the February 1876 fire, and served as a retail location, last used by William Peterson. The Village bought the building in 1929, doing minor remodeling to create a fire house. In 1950 additional remodeling was done to provide two front bay doors and create a kitchen on the second floor.

The Fire Department moved into the new fire hall in 1983, the building was eventually sold and used for a short time as an outlet for a local farm produce stand.

The list of dates is all I’ve found in the records of the village and Interlaken Historical Society, although one place does note that pictures of the demo work were given to the Historical Society.

Dewitt Diary Tuesday, July 9, 1935

Railroad was out in 4 places near town. Ferris girl drown near Ithaca. 50 drowned in the state. Our creek washed six feet deep in the orchard. Cellar full.

Dewitt is referring to the death of 20-year-old Alice Ferris, who was swept away from the car she was in near Ithaca after the vehicle stalled due to high water. See also the Flood of ‘35 on July 8, 1935.

July 8, 1935, Reflecting on the Flood of 1935

How do you begin to describe the effects of a flood? Dewitt gave us a view of the damage Hurricane Agnes did in 1972, but what of the floods before then? Two other floods have been recorded in word or photographs within the Interlaken Historical Society collections. A few pictures show the flood of 1902 [see July 20, 1902 Snippet]. More extensive records describe the July 8^, 1935 flood. There are pictures, newspaper articles and an article from the October 2011 issue of the Historical Society newsletter.

My grandmother, Nelle Symonds Bradley, was born in the village of Farmer in 1881 (which became Interlaken in 1904) and lived there all her life. Nelle was a prolific writer of diaries, poems, and letters, many of which I now care for. In the fall of 1935, during one the greatest floods the village had ever experienced, Nelle wrote a letter to her oldest daughter Margaret over a period of a few days. At that time Nelle was a widow living in her home (currently owned by the Hubbard family), which is located on the south side of West Avenue at the bottom of the hill which leads up to the water tower. Her youngest daughter Jean, age 19, was home from Cornell at that time; her middle daughter Eleanor was living and working in Rochester. These excerpts from this letter gives us a picture of what it was like when too much rain fell too fast on the little village and its neighbors.

Nancy Booth DeMarte

Dear Margaret,

   Monday, 5:00 AM -- Jean and I are on the front porch watching a raging torrent of water flow by. It has roared since -- well, the fire whistle woke me at three because DePond's house had washed off the foundation, so I don't know when it began. Yesterday and Saturday there was one heavy thunder shower after another, but this surely was a cloud burst. It looks three feet deep at least on the other side of the street. I was afraid our three cows would be drowned, but when it got light we saw them in the southwest corner eating grass.

   Telephone service has been off and on. I heard it was rushing through Howard Peterson's store. Really, the roar is deafening. It is still raining hard.

    I heard they had to get Stinards out with ropes, but don't know if that was their house or cottage. Babcock's car washed into the lake (Kennebunk), and a team went down to help them. I wonder about our cottage and the farm crops. Surely it would take all the top soil where it flowed over. The pasture gate is washed open and the debris in this NE corner has broken down the fence. A waterfall rushes over the corner.

   We had some men callers in high boots an hour ago (the water was over their high boots). They got our big oil tank and tied it to the railing so it wouldn't tip over. What a mess. Huge chunks of wood, cans, ashes. I had a fire in the little stove.

   Across the street, Wheeler Bassett's front steps are gone. Clint Bassett's chicken house has moved.

   I woke Jean. Lights went out, of course. Railroads must be damaged so I don't know when mail will go. We had some water in the refrigerator which we will treasure as wells will not be good. Jean is in her raincoat and oiled hat and longing to go downtown. It will take loads of gravel to fill in our drive. I wonder how much garden I'll have. Most of all, of course, I hope no one will be drowned or hurt. Jean says it cut Wilson's driveway down to the creek level. Jimmi Bassette tried to drive out when the whistle blew, and he got stopped at this end of Knight Street where his car now stands deep in the river. Guess they tied it to a post so it wouldn't wash away. He left the headlights on for a long time and yelled like mad to warn a car coming down the hill.

   10:00 AM -- Cars do go through now, but I'd hate to try it. I read recently about a downpour in Penn Yan where the topsoil was carried to the lake. I wonder about the farm crops again. There was never anything like this here before. Jean was asking yesterday if we could ever have a flood here. I'd think the new school ground would be washed out…and if they had cement in the cellar. My little flowers in the front yard!

    Wheeler Bassett's big bush by the walk is flat and is catching debris. His pretty lawn is a lake. The house is surrounded. Jean says this is the most exciting spot now unless lower Main Street could be worse. Multiply anything you ever saw by a hundred or two. I thought I'd wash this morning -- guess not. I hope Conesus isn't getting the same. Betty Hewlett was up there for the weekend.

    Central (telephone office) answers now. They said they had to carry Mrs. Wickes and Christine out. We can't get to the cottage, but they say Dr. Gould's new car is under water. Imagine what that lake road must be. It had been in real good shape.

Click here to read the rest of the letter.  Click here for newspaper snippets

 

T. P. Hause home, North Main Street
Interlaken Historical Society photo collection #1481a

Main Street Interlaken, July 8, 1935
Interlaken Historical Society photo collection #2122

  

Dewitt’s Diary Monday, July 8, 1935

The greatest calamity ever in this county happened about three o’clock following terrible rains all night.

All the country side flooded.

July 5, 1979 Interlaken Oral History Project

“The Oral History Project of the Interlaken Historical Society, was instituted through the interest and effort of Helen Burr. Helen had attended an oral history workshop by the Regional Conference of Historical Agencies in 1977.” So begins the introduction of the Oral History Project book, published in 1997.

Helen Burr was a kindergarten teacher at Interlaken Central School and volunteer with the Interlaken Historical Society.

An article in the January 20, 1982 Interlaken Review shared comments from Helen as well as other information on the project. Helen noted, “Oral history tapes constitute a fairly new technique in recording local history and genealogy. By virtue of my personal mode of interaction with the narrators, there is little structure and no formality...” “The narrators are friends and acquaintances over the years and personal recall is most popular with me. Most of the tapes indicate how people feel about their present situation, how they reacted to events in the past, and how they look to the future. Each tape is a part of the history of the person.”

In addition to interviewing Dewitt and Edna, she also visited with Jannette Medlock Marten, Marguerite Dowdle Lee, Morris Pell, Joseph Dickerson, George Kellogg, Harold Daily, Aubrey Smith, Grace, Ernest and Mrs. Duane Hiltbrand, John V. Kellogg, Daniel Thayer, and Nell Leonard Rockwell. Many of the interviews focused on the Halstead Canning Factory and the people involved. Others were about life in the community.

Helen concluded her comments in the article by noting, “Being a recorder for the local oral history project has been a privilege. Friendships have been made, renewed and strengthened, and it looks like a lifetime project for me! Future interviews are in the works.”

Other interviews were conducted including James VanNostrand, Pearl and Alice Hazzard, Ted Day and Maurice L. Patterson.

Copies of each of the tapes were available at the library for people to listen to, but many felt they should be shared in written form. In the mid-1990s “the tapes were transcribed by C. Ann Carter…editing by Maurice Patterson, Bill Gates and Walt Steesy preserved style and individual flavor while insuring continuity and historical accuracy. (Oral History Project 1997, Introduction, page 5).

Over the years Dewitt would note in his diary comments about planting for the canning factory. May 5, 1936 “Planted one acre of peas for the factory today.” Later in the season he would be told when to harvest the peas. June 29, 1936, “I cut my acre of peas this afternoon.”

Edna worked at the canning factory for several summers as well.

Dewitt’s Diary Tuesday, July 5, 1927 and Thursday, July 5, 1979

July 5, 1927 Temperature 50. We are cutting peas today. The peas are not very good owing to dry weather. Drew five loads to the canning factory.

July 5, 1979 Temperature 47, mostly cloudy. Northwest wind.

Scything under the young apple trees.

Mrs. Eddie Burr came and talked about the canning factory in the town in relation to we growing peas and corn. Put it on record.

A very cold day, about 60 on south porch for a high.

The Oral History Project volume is available at the Interlaken Historical Society.

July 4, 1876 Bell Ringing at Covert Baptist Church

July 4, 1876 was one hundred years after the signing the of Declaration of Independence. It was a day for celebrating that centennial anniversary, and what better way than to install and ring a church bell.

An August 23, 1975 Geneva Times article, discussing the overall history of the Covert Baptist Church notes, the “bell [was] bought in 1876 for $500.” These funds were “raised through a special collection drive. An 1876 ledger shows individual donations from parishioners, some as high as $25. A nearby school contributed as well, with the school marm donating 50 cents. The names of her students follow hers in the book and beside each name the amount they gave.”

The church history notes that the bell was raised into place and rung for the first time on that July 4^th afternoon with “an estimated crowd of 1,000 assembled to hear it.”

To reach the bell one must climb a ladder fashioned on the inside of the steeple. The rope needed to ring the bell is over 85 feet long, descending from the top of the steeple to a room near the front doors.

Dewitt’s Diary Saturday, July 4, 1959

Temperature 60 clear. Pete flew down from Lockport and landed out behind the barn. He took me to Harris Hill in Elmira to glider meet. We got back home at 1 o'clock. Saw some of the gliders takeoff.

A nice Fourth of July and the nice day to take a plane ride. Between here and Elmira it is very dry.

Dewitt’s Diary Thursday, July 4, 1963

Temperature 54, clear and west wind. A big change from the past ten days when it was in the 90s every day.

We unloaded two loads of bales.

I mowed down the last of the clover up by the woods this afternoon.

Went down to the lake at 6 o’clock this evening. Caught two trout, 3 ½ pounds and 5 ½ pounds.

Many red flares burning along the lake at dark.

Clear and 64 tonight.

July 3, 1863 126th New York Company C at Gettysburg

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is a location most have heard of and many have visited. The Civil War battle there on July 1, 2, 3, 1863 has been called a turning point in the Civil War.

The 126^th NY Volunteer Infantry unit was primarily made of men from the Ontario, Seneca and Yates counties. Most of the men in Company C were from the southern portions of Seneca County.

John Ryno and John M. Chadwick both kept diaries of their time in the Civil War and these have been preserved and transcribed. Rather than look at the battle at Gettysburg, I’ve taken their diary entries for the days before, during and after the battle.

June 28, 1863 Ryno: Frederick [Md.] We are encamped on the bank of the river.

Chadwick: From this place we marched to the river, about 2 miles from Frederick City and camped for the night. The distance was about 2 miles.

June 29, 1862 Ryno: We got up at two o’clock this morning. We have had breakfast. We left Frederick at 8 o’clock and marched through several small villages, Libertytown, Johnstown and Uniontown making a march of 33 miles. The men are very tired and hundreds of them fell out by the way.

Chadwick:  Marched from Frederick City to Unionville (Union Bridge), a distance of 33 miles, the third largest march ever made in the world. This morning Col. Willard takes command of the Brigade, and Gen. Hays of the Division. Col. Willard ordered the Band to report to the regt. I had not been there ten minutes when Col. (Eliakim) Sherell gave me command of the “Drum Corps.” George was unable to march and was left at Frederick City. He had not marched with us since we started.

June 30, 1863 Chadwick: We did not march but two miles, but were mustered for pay. I was mustered as Principle Musician. Think I now have a “sure” thing. This evening another corps came up with us.

July 1, 1863 Ryno: We struck tents in morning at 7 and marched until 11, then awaited further orders. We marched back to Uniontown [Md] then turned around and marched back to Taneytown [Md] and fell out. The Regiment went on to Hagerstown where they expect a battle.

Chadwick: Marched about six miles, and camped in the woods about 11 o’clock, a.m. Here we find more troops. It is said the whole Army of the Potomac are united at this place. There is a large Army here now, and we expect to have a fight in a day or two.  In the afternoon were ordered to march back to protect a baggage train. We marched about three miles and returned, but found the troops all gone. We marched on about six miles further, and halted for the night. We marched in all 18 miles. That night we learned that they were having a fight at Gettysburg.

July 2, 1863 Ryno: I am at Taneytown this morning and feeling rather poorly. The Artillery was passing all night. I left Taneytown this morning and came to where the men were fighting. They had a very hard battle and our troops drove them two or three miles. The musketry has ceased but batteries are playing on them tonight.

Chadwick: In the morning at four o’clock we started for Gettysburg, a distance of about 20 miles. When we arrived at this place, the troops were drawn up in line of battle. There had not been any fighting, except for a little cannonading. In the afternoon, about 3 o’clock, the battle commences, and it was a hard battle. Our Regiment lost heavily, but the day was ours. I was at the hospital taking care of the wounded. Col. Willard of the 125^th NY Vol (who had command of our Brigade) was killed. J. T. Grant of my old Band was killed.

 July 3, 1863 Ryno: Cannonading commenced this morning at four and lasted until sin in the afternoon then a general engagement took place which lasted nearly an hour. The Rebs made a charge on us and we drove them back with great slaughter. We look a large number of prisoners during the fighting. Eugene Holton was wounded in the afternoon with a piece of shell. I was up all night with the wounded but will join my company tomorrow.

Chadwick: They commenced firing about daylight, but did not do much to skirmish until about one o’clock p.m. In the skirmish, many of our boys were wounded and some were killed. Peter Rappleye, Richard Lockhard, Madison Covert, Eugene Holton, Michael Stout, James Harris, Will Herrington, Lieut. Brown, Sgt Swartout, and a number of others from our Company, were wounded. Sgt Chas Harris and Samuel Blew were killed. I do not know how many more.

July 4, 1863 Ryno: Skirmishing has been going on all day. The boys have brought in several of our dead today.

Chadwick: Report came in that Col. Sherell was killed. Nothing but skirmishes today. Report that the enemy are falling back. 

July 5, 1863 Ryno: All quiet this morning. The Rebs have left and our troops are burying their dead this morning. We left camp at 6 p.m. and marched six miles and encamped for the night.

Chadwick: The enemy have all fallen back. They left their dead and wounded upon the field. At four o’clock we were ordered to march. We marched until 10 o’clock and halted for the night. It rained hard all night. I had not so much as a blanket, having left them for the wounded. It is reported that Lee has met French, and we are to take him in the rear.

A visit to Gettysburg often means a stop at the Union lines where the men of the 126^th defended a portion of the field from Picket’s Charge. Near that location is a monument to the regiment.

Dewitt’s Diary, Saturday, July 3, 1937

Arnold, young undertaker, and Peterson’s boy Will were drowned last night off Kidders. Helped drag for the bodies this morning. Giant firecracker blew hole in boat. 

July 1, 1904 Post Office Name Changed

Back in March of 1904 the residents of the Village voted to incorporate. That event could have stood by itself, but like many things, it didn’t happen in a vacuum. The Lehigh Valley Railroad was looking for a new name for the train depot.

May 27, 1904, the Farmer Review, under the heading, “Special Notice” recorded the recent and upcoming name changes. “May 15 the Lehigh Valley railroad company changed the name of the station at Farmer to Interlaken. Postmaster F. H. Johnson, on Monday, received notice from the postmaster general that the post office name will be changed to Interlaken at the beginning of the next quarter, on July 1, ’04.”
That same article stated that the Review would change its name later in July when the anniversary of the paper arrived. Later, Mr. Hause decided to make the change on July 1.

Masthead of the July 1, 1904 Interlaken Review
Copy from online scanned newspaper

As anyone who has changed their address knows, the process takes time. This is especially true when the name of the village changes, and the paper has to “correct” all of the mailing labels.

Dewitt’s Diary Tuesday, July 1, 1924

Hoeing corn today. We finished the field corn and hoed the sorghum today.

Father attended a Klu Klux Klan meeting at Covert tonight. It sure is a good thing.

Wednesday, July 1, 1964

Temperature 73 clear, southwest wind. Ed Hayward baled 250 bales from the stone pile field this morning.

We had some thunder showers between 4 and 5 o’clock. Gave us more than an inch of water and we need it. My corn in field and garden wilted for the past couple days.

All the garden needed it. Much dryer in eastern part of the state.

Picked 8 quarts of cherries from tree at the southwest corner of garden.

Temperature dropped from 93 degrees to 63 degrees in a half hour or a little more.