Progressive Batavian Batavia, Genesee County, New York State November 12-1880 BATAVIA'S FIRST PUBLIC EXECUTION. On Friday last, the fiftieth anniversary of the hanging of Elijah GRAY in this village for the murder of a man named DAVIS, the 'Daily News' briefly revived the story of the murder and the execution, stating it was the first public hanging in Batavia. DAVIS, the victim, was a hotel keeper in Le Roy, and had accused James GRAY, son of Elijah GRAY, of setting his buildings on fire. Other causes also existed, both GRAY and his son having threatened DAVIS' life. One day GRAY and his son entered DAVIS' bar-room and were ordered out. Not obeying the order at once, DAVIS with the assistance of bystanders attempted to forcibly eject them, and in the melee DAVIS was fatally stabbed with a knife which was seen in GRAY's hand. GRAY was arrested, tried and convicted, and paid the full penalty of the law. GRAY's execution was not, however, the first public hanging in Batavia. On August 28th, 1807, over seventy-three years ago, James McLEAN was hanged in this village for the murder of Wm. ORR. The murder, we are informed by an old resident, was committed in the town of Caledonia. Two men were killed by McLEAN, but he was tried only for the murder of ORR. He was arrested in Canandaigua, and brought to Batavia for trial. The gallows was erected at a point in the rear of where C.H. TURNER & Son's market now stands, and the stumps of the gallows posts, which, apparently, were made from a black ash tree cut in two parts, stood there, well preserved, for many years. At the execution a shocking scene occurred, McLEAN being hung twice. The first time the rope broke, and a bed cord was procured from the house of Chauncey KEYES, which was doubled, and the execution proceeded. The murder created the most intense excitement throughout this region, and the hanging was witnessed by a large crowd composed by people from great distances who assembled to see the murder of ORR avenged. It was the all-absorbing topic of conversation at that time, and the story of the crime and the punishment was told and retold hundreds of times during the succeeding score of years. ++ MORGANVILLE. Our village school this winter will be taught by Mr. GUIER of Corfu, assisted by Miss CAMPBELL of Bergen. Mr. Hiram RANDALL has been on the sick list for the past two weeks. WE hope to hear of his recovery. News is rather scarce in this locality, or we have been unable to hear of it; but now that election has passed we think there will be more to report in the future. Mr. Walter LATHROP of this town, and Miss Louisa DEADY of Rochester, were united in marriage at the residence of the bride's parents in Rochester, Wednesday, October 27th. The happy couple have our hearty congratulations. We wish them all the happiness they can possibly wish themselves, and that their troubles may be few, or at least but little ones. PAVILION. New England supper to-night. Mr. Wm. DEAN has got up the frame work of his new house. George McWITHY has opened a writing school in our village. The Good Templars contemplate the purchase of an organ for the lodge. Miss Laura YOUNGS has returned to Stafford, where she will resume her duties as school teacher. A cross-walk has been laid across the road at Gilmore's. It is a very substantial walk and in wet weather will be very much appreciated. On the evening of the fourth Sunday in each month there will be held in the M.E. Church a young mens' temperance meeting. Let all attend them; they are interesting. Our school opened for the term on Monday last with an attendance of 55 pupils; it now numbers about 80. We are happy to state that Mr. S.D. SMITH has been retained as teacher. Miss Stella HENDERSON presides over the primary department. Both freight trains ran off the track last Monday, one at Pearl Creek and the other at this station. While making shifts the cars ran off a broken rail. Rans HUTCHINSON and Humphrey MUDDOCK happened to be on one of the cars and it is said that the agility they displayed in getting off was most astonishing. No particular damage was done to either train. Frank BURT declares his intention to fulfil the conditions of agreement which he recently made with SWIPES, concerning the result of the election: i.e., if HANCOCK was defeated he was to wear for one day a pair of bed ticking pants, the stripes of one leg running up and down and on the other running around. The agreement has occasioned no little merriment. Frank will give due notice when he is to wear them. A pleasant little affair occurred at the home of Mr. A.R. FAILING a few evenings since. At his invitation his Sabbath-school class, composed of ten or a dozen young ladies and gentlemen, met at his house, for a social hour, but to his surprise and much pleasure, on their arrival they presented him with an elegant writing desk. Words were inadequate to express his feelings, so he, of a necessity, said nothing, but his great big heart was full. Election day in this town was fraught with many amusing scenes and incidents, and much interest. The work at the polls was earnest and every voter that could be got there was secured. The challenging of voters of doubtful privilege formed an interesting feature of the day. The whole number of votes polled was 454, of which the Republican party received a majority of 101. This tallies exactly with the canvass made by Abram REESE. During the day the Democrats were very sanguine and evinced no little confidence in their own opinions as to how the election would result. But, alas! for human opinions. On arriving in the village on the following morning, 'Squire BRADLEY remarked that he came up to have a funeral. Charley BOND rejoined: "We were buried so deep yesterday that we won't need any ceremony whatever." Later in the day Henry TOMPKINS was seen on the streets with a lantern in quest of a Democrat. We heard an occasional, "it's bad ain't it?" etc. Give it up, boys! ++ BERGEN. Burt L. FISHER is comfortably sick with typhoid fever. J.H. BRENNAN moved into the new hotel last Monday. Miss Carrie ROGERS returned last Wednesday from her Western trip. J.R. McKENZIE finished a 20x24 horse barn for Levi LEWELLYN last week. Work on the foundation of S.E. SPENCER's new building was begun last Monday. The builder of George E. WHITAKER's barn is John BYRNE, not J.R. McKENZIE. Miss Sarah J. CAMPBELL, of this town, has been engaged as assistant teacher in the Morganville school. The Grangers will meet in their new hall for the first time next Saturday evening. A full attendance is desired. Mrs. Samuel RICHMOND and John W. WOODWORTH returned from their Western trip last Thursday evening. Dr. W.H. SYKES, of Plymouth, O., on his way to New York, stopped over Sunday to visit his wife's sister, Mrs. E.P. GREEN. Last week Pitman WILCOX bought the vacant Morey building for $100. He will fit up a part of it for a flour and feed store. ++ PEMBROKE. The lodge meets Friday evening this week. Do not forget the concert on Saturday evening. Ed. FRISBEE has moved into and now occupies the HASSETT house. Mr. Byron BUTLER of Alden is visiting his brother, W.S. BUTLER. A relative of Mr. STURDEVANT from Churchville is making him a visit. We hear that Ezra KERN has sold his house and lot to "Lou" JACOT. Mrs. A. REDMAN has gone to Millville, Orleans County, for a week's visit. Mr. Frank BROWN is to hold forth to the youthful in district No. 1 this winter. Mr. "Dell" BRONSON of Chicago, Ill., is visiting at his father's, James BRONSON. Miss Jennie MUNCLE has been engaged to teach the primary department of our village school. Mrs. ORR has brought her visit to Mr. DUNN's to a close and returned to her home in Michigan. They "fire" the potatoes in a "dizzy" rate at this station. Thirty car-loads have just been loaded in nine days. A singing class, conducted by Prof. HOPPER of Chautauqua County, was formed on Monday evening of this week. The Republicans of this place are very modest; but that was quite a "flame" on Friday evening, just the same. Mr. FANNING has concluded to try the grocery business in addition to the postoffice. He has already quite a stock on hand. Mr. Oscar KING has departed for the Michigan pine woods with the intention of making business lively there this winter. James RUSSELL has moved into Elder CUTLER's house to stay until he is able to build one in the shade of his own "vine and fig tree." The wind on Saturday evening was too much for the top of the Democratic pole, and it dropped--followed the leader, so to speak. BYRON. Mrs. WOODBINE is quite seriously ill. J.W. SEAVER is, we are sorry to say, afflicted with serious illness. Mrs. Marshall BEAN had the misfortune to slip and fall a few days since, breaking her limb just above the ankle. A.W. GRAVES has been extensively repairing his grist and saw mills, but the repairs are now completed and he is ready for business. Mr. Willard MUNGER of Bergen and Miss Ida N. CHAPELL of Byron,, were married at the residence of the bride's parents, on the 3d inst.,, by Rev. E. ALLEN. Mrs. Dr. LOUNSBURY of Sharon, Wis., formerly of Byron, recently made a flying trip here. Glad to see her looking so well, and to hear of the Dr.'s success. She says the 'Batavian' is a welcome visitor at their home. Miss Hettie CLARK of Batavia has sixty-five scholars in her department of our Union School. The other department would have been opened last Monday, but a teacher from Wyoming County, who had been engaged, disappointed them. A.M. WILLIAMS has removed his Neufchatel cheese manufactory from Brockport to this place, and has begun operations in John FISK's storehouse building. This is a new industry for this county, and it is said that Mr. W. cannot supply the demand for the article. Henry C. NORTON from the College at Oberlin, Ohio, Dr. GLEASON from Massachusetts where he is lecturing, and George W. GREEN, who is traveling salesman for the Dexter Spring Co., Hilton, Pa., all came home to vote. They have since returned to their respective labors. Our brass band are making excellent progress. They can play all the verses to Greenville, besides many other lively airs. They went out serenading Tuesday night in the north part of the town and received $17.50 from different ones where they played, beside cleaning out the country of doughnuts, cookies, etc. Miss Jennie BOYNTON returned on Thursday last from her summer's European tour.--Notwithstanding that she suffered from sea-sickness on both voyages, the return being especially rough and stormy, she enjoyed her trip greatly, and would willingly repeat were it not for the Ocean journey. Her many friends are pleased to welcome her return. ++ The fall term of the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at lima is drawing to a close, but three weeks intervening between this time and the vacation. The winter term commences Thursday, Dec. 9th. Speaking of the school the 'Lima Recorder' has the following regarding a well-known Batavia lady who has been engaged as Preceptress:--"During a portion of the present term the place of Miss BUTTON as Preceptress, made vacant by her resignation, has been filled by Mrs. A.E. RICE, and it is evident that the Board of Trustees have been very fortunate in securing her services. Mrs. RICE is a graduate of the Seminary, and was recently the Preceptress of the Batavia High School. She is a teacher of great experience, is enthusiastic and conscientious in her chosen work, and is daily proving a valuable member of the faculty. ++ MARRIED. LATHROP-DEADY. On Oct. 27th, 1880, at the residence of the bride's parents, by Rev. C.M. NICKERSON, Walter E. LATHROP of Stafford, to Louisa, eldest daughter of William DEADY, Esq. of Rochester. FALLAN-SKELLEY. At St. Joseph's Church in Batavia, on the 9th inst., by Rev. J.C. McMANNUS, Edward FALLAN of Buffalo and Miss Anna C. SKELLEY of Stafford. FLAHERTY-BOYLE. At St. Joseph's Church, Batavia, on the 10th inst., by Rev. J.C. McMANNUS, Frank FLAHERTY and Ella BOYLE, both of this village. ++ DIED. WIGGINS. - In Batavia, N.Y., Nov. 26, 1880 Eliza H., widow of the late J.H. WIGGINS, formerly of Le Roy, aged 79 years. PAGE. - In Stafford, November 4th, William PAGE, aged 17 years. CLAPP. - In Batavia, on the 10th inst., Mrs. Harriet A. CLAPP, mother of Mrs. Octavia GRISWOLD, in the 84th year of her age. The funeral services will be held at her late residence on Summit street on Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock. HARDING. - In Bethany, Oct. 26th, Mrs. Dolly M. HARDING, aged 85 years. Mrs. HARDING was the daughter of Mr. John GILBERT, of Lynn, Conn. In 1824 she removed with her husband, Alfred HARDING, to this State and located at the center of Bethany, which has since been the family residence. Mrs. HARDING was the mother of twelve children; seven of whom still live. Besides the five who reside in Bethany, two are successful attorneys at law, one in Hume, N.Y., the other in Ill. Though very modest and retiring, by the force of a quiet but earnest life she made a deep impression upon all within the circle of her influence. For over fifty years she was connected with the Regular Baptist church, and, though not forwarding the expression of her religious convictions, deep religious sentiment appeared in her life and sometimes was expressed in forms most appropriate. When, in 1848, the family were afflicted with the small pox of which two of her daughters died, and after one of these was prepared for the grave by her mother's hands who alone was left to care for the sick and dying. In the absence of any other to utter a word of comfort to the stricken family, she repeated for their consolation the well-known hymn, "Why do we mourn departing friends Or shake at death's alarms, 'Tis but the voice that Jesus sends, To call them to his arms." Ever ready to comfort others, she found herself remarkably sustained in affliction. A large circle of grand-children and great grand-children who are much indebted to their grandmother for what they are and what they enjoy, lament her loss and reverently cherish her memory. Her life illustrates the mother's influence who ever feels that her domestic cares are worthy of her attention. ++ LARGE SALES AND SMALL PROFITS. Our 99 Cent Store Will contain all the great bargains to be found in the great cities. We will save you from 50 to 75 cents on everything bought of us for 99 cents. Remember, all goods in this department warranted as represented. Come one, Come all the Crowd. E.L. & G.D. KENYON. 72 Main Street. ++ submitted by Linda C. Schmidt

Thanks Linda. I din't know about James McLEAN being hung twice and all the specks on the gallows. Just for a point those wern't the only two either. ;-) -- Cindy Amrhein Town of Alabama Historian Genesee Co., NY ********************** Historian's Page - Alabama, NY http://www2.pcom.net/cinjod/historian/ Experience the town of Alabama in Genesee County, New York. History, tombstone inscriptions, census records, history of the Tonawanda Seneca Indians and the Iroquois. Enjoy a good murder mystery? Read about the murders of Polly Frisch. APHNYS (The Association of Public Historians of New York State) http://www.tier.net/aphnys/ Genesee County, NY website. Includes History Department, (under "Historian") http://www.co.genesee.ny.us/ The Genesee Area Genealogy Society lists the names and addresses for all the Genesee & Wyoming County Historians http://www.rootsweb.com/~nygags/hist.htm