Zimmer - Curiosities of the Finger Lakes: hidden ancient ruins, flying machines, the boy who caught a trout with his nose and more

Published by The History Press

Charleston, SC 29403

www.historypress.net

Copyright 2014 by Melanie Zimmer

All rights reserved

First published 2014

e-book edition 2014

ISBN 978.1.62584.545.0

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Zimmer, Melanie.

Curiosities of the Finger Lakes : hidden ancient ruins, flying machines, the boy who caught a trout with his nose and more / Melanie Zimmer.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references.

print edition ISBN 978-1-62619-092-4 (paperback)

1. Finger Lakes Region (N.Y.)--Social life and customs--Anecdotes. 2. Curiosities and wonders--New York (State)--Finger Lakes Region--Anecdotes. 3. Finger Lakes Region (N.Y.)--History, Local--Anecdotes. 4. Finger Lakes Region (N.Y.)--Biography--Anecdotes. I. Title.

F127.F4Z55 2014

974.78--dc23

2014014194

Notice: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. It is offered without guarantee on the part of the author or The History Press. The author and The History Press disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is dedicated to you, the readermay you rediscover the wonder of the Finger Lakes.

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

There are a number of people I wish to acknowledge. Without their help, this book would not have become a reality.

First I would like to thank Whitney Landis, who, on behalf of The History Press, asked me to write this book and has worked to make it materialize. I would like to thank my husband, Francis Zimmer, who accompanied me on some of my information-seeking forays. Thank you to my friend Karen Halstead, who often came along for the ride on some of my expeditions and also allowed me use some of her photos when mine didnt measure up.

There are a number of other individuals who deserve recognition for their time and information. A big thank-you to:

Will Collicott, project editor at The History Press, for his help in guiding this project to its conclusion.

The mysterious image coordinators at The History Press. I never had contact with them, but they worked like little elves, unseen, formatting images and preparing the cover of this book.

Greg Fiander Taylor at Bully Hill Vineyards, who shared the story of his father, Walter S. Taylor.

Lisa M. Harper, administrative assistant at the Yates County History Center in Penn Yan, who provided information on Bluff Point, the hidden treasure at Indian Pines (which was mysteriously misfiled in the Bluff Point file), Harry Morse and the trout and surveyors Wright and son.

Trafford Doherty, executive director of the Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation Museum in Hammondsport, for information provided on Curtiss.

Barb Mundi of the New Hartford Historical Society for her several attempts to track down Reverend Bostwick prior to his move to the Finger Lakes.

Joan Rogerson of the St. James Episcopal Church in Hammondsport, who provided me with information on the church, primarily about Glenn H. Curtiss and the stained-glass window. She also fielded questions about Reverend Bostwick. Thanks also to Tom Bidwell, the church web designer.

The 1890 House psychic Ann Knight for information on the haunts of the 1890 House.

Matthew Schink for writing A Beautiful Morning, a blog that led me to the Excelsior Glen pictographs that I was then able to verify as genuine through historical society information.

The Community Preservation Committee at Willard Memorial Chapel for a marvelous tour of the chapel and information on its treasures and history.

Dr. Daniel Ward for information he gave me on Willard Insane Asylum years ago. I finally used it in this book.

The Cayuga Museum of History and Art and the Case Research Laboratory for information on Theodore Case and Auburn Prison.

Evelyn Beran, a relative of Reverend Bostwick, for family information on Bostwick.

Jennifer Recht at the Mid-York Library system, who, at the last minute, on her lunch break, spent her time searching World Cat to locate a rare old Annual Report on the New York State Museum so I would be able to include an image of the Wright survey of Bluff Point in this book.

The Special Collections and University Archives at Colgate University Libraries, especially head archivist Sarah Keen, who located and photographed the plate of the Wright survey of Bluff Point for this publication. I really appreciate your last-minute assistance.

Joscelyn Godwin, whom I heard speak on Mordecai M. Noah.

Dr. Judith Wellman for allowing me to tag along on a trip along the Freedom Trail. The trip introduced me to Slocum Howland and the Howland Stone Store Museum, where a slice of Susan B. Anthonys birthday cake remains to this day.

INTRODUCTION

Glaciers creeping at an almost imperceptible pace over the landscape dramatically sculpted the Finger Lakes, creating this areas unique and breathtaking geology. Long before settlers arrived, the Finger Lakes were inhabited by ancient peoples of whom we know precious little. We do know, though, that they lived and built here as they left material evidence of their existence. However, the identity of those people and what their beliefs might have been remains a mystery. Later, other Native Americans inhabited the region but were eventually driven away by the fierce Haudenosaunee, who had firmly established their hold on the region before the arrival of settlers. The Seneca believed that they arose from a hill in the Finger Lakes and tell of how the different nations became established across what is now New York State.

Eventually, white settlers arrived, and in time, missionaries came to establish morality and spirituality on the frontier. Reverend Bostwick was one such missionary. In addition to establishing outpost churches in the Finger Lakes, he also introduced the first wine grape vines into the region, profoundly altering the landscape.

Inventors thrived here. Curtiss designed and tested flying machines, and Theodore Case worked on the problem of creating sound-on-film. People strived to create new systems. The Auburn System was developed with the highest intentions to reform criminals. The electric chair was designed to eliminate the barbarism of hanging as a form of execution. Willard Insane Asylum was designed with the belief that the insane, poor and unhealthy would benefit from the beautiful environment near the banks of the lake.

All of this is just the tip of the iceberg. The Finger Lakes region has many tales and hidden treasures to reveal. It is more than just a place of stunning beauty; its lands offer a wealth of unique tales and a fascinating history.

CHAPTER 1

STORIES OF THE HAUDENOSAUNEE

CREATION

Before the Finger Lakes existed, and before the earth itself had come into being, there was Skyworld. One day, Skywoman discovered she was pregnant with twins. When Skywomans husband learned this, he became outraged and tore the Great Tree right out of the ground. Skywoman was peering down the newly made hole to the waters far below when her husband pushed her. Down, down she fell, and as she fell, the animals below saw her and hoped to save her. They decided the woman would need a place to stand, so each tried in turn to dive down to the bottom of the waters to bring up some soil. Everyone tried and failed until Little Toad dove down and finally surfaced with a mouthful of dirt. This was placed on Turtles back, and the dirt continued to grow and spread there. The land that was created on the Turtles back is now called North America. Skywoman landed there. Later, it is said, the Great Spirit placed his hand on the soil, and the spot on which his fingers pressed became the Finger Lakes.