1866 Handwritten Diary Amos Brooks Olean NY Big Main St Fire Raft Trips On River
Item History & Price
WELCOMETO SALLY’S DIARIES: Upfor auction today is a handwritten diary representing the year 1866, one year after the end of the great Civil War. The name in front saysAmos C. Brooks. Then the town Sherburne, Chenango County New York. Atfirst I thought he lived in Sherburn but he seems to be inCattaraugus County as he talks about being close to the towns ofCuba, Hinsdale and Friendship. Then I hit the jackpot on the web whenresearching the diary. Our author, Amos Canfield Brooks, wh...o is wasborn in 1827, married to Mary M. Miner and had five children: George, Julia, Grace, Charles and Frank. He died in 1872. Ifound out all of this because of a very historical event thathappened in his town, Olean New York. The reason I know all of thisis because he talks about a great fire that happened on January 16thwhich burned up most of main street. He also mentions that a Mr.Phelps is missing when the fire broke out and they finally find hisbones a few days later. When I went to research this I found anincredible article about the fire on the web. The article is long butI must quote it here before I quote any of the diary as it’s reallyquite historical and fascinating especially because the event isrecorded in this diary. Not only that, he talks about traveling onthe river in rafts, attending political and religious meetings, andso much more. Here is the article on the fire and after that examplequotes and please note there is a handwritten entry for every day ofthe year…... “BigOlean Fire TheCuba True Patriot VOLIV, NO 29, FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1866DESTRUCTIVEFIRE!Theentire business portion of Olean in Ashes! One Man Perishes in theFlames! List of Sufferers. Lastnight during the prevalence of the high wind, a fire broke out in oneof the wooden blocks just above Martin's brick block, in our sistervillage of Olean, which spread with fearful rapidity, owing to thewind which was blowing a perfect hurricane at the time, and in spiteof all the exertions of the citizens, consumed all the businessplaces on the west side of Main st. Theorigin of the fire we have not yet learned--the telegraph onlyinforming us that "it broke out above Martin's Block." Aportion of the district destroyed has been laid in ashes some threeor four times heretofore. Welearn that H. H. Phelps, Esq., undoubtedly perished in the flames, ashe has not been seen since. Mr. Phelps is a well-known lawyer. Thefire broke out about 12:20 p.m. There are but one or two stores left.The loss is estimated at one-half million dollars. _________ We havejust returned from the scene of the late conflagration. The firedemon held high carnival, and was not sparing of his feast. Where thebusiness portion of Olean once stood, there remains nothing but along stretch of smoking ruins. Martin's Block which was looked uponas fire-proof, is nothing but a heap of bricks and other debris. Thewalls, even, are not left standing, --proving the fierceness of theflames or the ill construction of the boasted "fire-proof."The rest of the blocks burned were of wood, and of course with thewind blowing the hurricane that it did, were licked up by thedevouring element like tinder. From the Fobe's House at the lower orsouthern end of Main street, to the Masonic Hall at the northernextremity, everything on the west side is swept clean. Tothose who witnessed the fire, the scene must have been grand andfearful in the extreme. So rapid was the spread of the fire, we areinformed that the entire district burned was in flames at once. Theeast side of the street was only saved by the almost super-humanexertions of the citizens; even now it is a wonder to us how it couldhave been done, when we take into consideration the high wind thatprevailed. Thefire was first discovered about one o'clock, in the boot and shoestore of Geo. Jones, near the lower end of the village. From there itspread both ways. North it took first C. H. Haven's saloon, FredEaton & Co.'s large Jewelry and Yankee Notion Store, and Adams &Charles' Boot and Shoe store. It then took Martin's Block, in whichwere the following stores and offices: Blake's Hardware & Cutlerystore; Martin Bro's Bank, and also, their Dry Goods and Ready-MadeClothing Store; Angel & Phelps, and Cary & Bolls' Law Office, and a furniture wareroom. It was in this Block where the lamentedPhelps lost his life. His office was on the second floor, and was notinsured. He had got most of his books and papers out, when he thoughtof something else, and started back again. He was warned againstgoing, but he said he knew right where what he wanted lay. He rushedinto the blazing building, he never returned. He had scarcely enteredbefore the blazing awning. In front fell, blockading the entrance.About the same time the fierce flames burst through the rear windows, shutting off egress in that direction. Poor Phelps was heard and seenin the ball room which was on the same floor of his office, but nohelp could reach him. The roof soon fell in--the walls crumbledinward--and thus he met his fearful death. FromMartin's Block, the fire swept onward, consuming the following placesof business: Mrs. Pettit's millinery store. J. D. Manderville &Son's insurance agents. Davis & Chaple's liquor store. Baker&Co's meat market. Lewis' boot & shoe store. Genther's largecrockery store. Bronson's drug and medicine store. Here are the firereached Pelton's Block, in which were Smith & French's Harnessmanufactory, J. G. Pelton's extensive Gents Furnishing store, and theOlean Advertiser printing establishment. The Advertiser had butrecently changed hands, Mr. J. I. Henry having sold out to theGardiner Brothers. Scarcely anything was saved by the Messrs.Gardiner. Mr. Pelton saved a portion of his goods. Theflames next lapped up with their fiery tongues the following placesof business, in the order which they come: Korn's ready-made clothingstore. N. Birge's harness shop. Smith and Brown's mammoth wholesaleand retail dry-goods store. Barse & Co.'s extensive hardwarestore. N. S. Butler & Co's dry and fancy goods store. John Knox'sgrocery and provision store. Mr. Knox had just bought out Wm. Pierceand was in New York at the time purchasing a stock. James Kelsey'slarge tobacco and cigar manufactory. E. C. Swift & Co's dry-goodsstore. Miller's eating house. Widow Townsend's residence. Here thefire having reached the corner of the street, was subdued. MasonicHall, on the opposite corner, was only saved by the utmost exertionsof the brethren, sustained by the fire department. South from Geo.Jones', where the fire first originated, the following places ofbusiness were burned. R. Meyer's meat market. Griffith & Fauncedry goods. Terry's book and stationery store. E. J. Finn extensivedrug and medicine store. A. Miner's photograph gallery. Moore'sdental office. Merritt & Co's grocery and provision store.Cranston's photograph gallery. C. Young's baker. F. Foster'sresidence. Mr. F. lost everything. Backof Martin's Block several other buildings owned by the Martin Bros., were also burned; and in fact all along the street, in the rearbuildings were destroyed. The aggregate amount of loss we have heardvariously estimated; most place it as high as two hundred thousanddollars part of which was covered by insurance.”AgainI know that is long but I really thought it should be shared. Hereare just a few example entries from the diary….1866“January16th, Morning arose and found the town enveloped in flames. The whole ofmain street burned up. Went down to see the ruins. Found that H. H.Phelps was in the ruins and not found today but a search for him.” “January20th, Rainy and warm this morning. Took the timber to town. Just as we gotthere they found the bones of H. H. Phelps about noon. A suddenchange in the weather. Snowed and began the breeze and at nite verycold…..” “February11th, Went to church in morning. It rained all day and there is quite aprospect for a flood and a general break up. The concert this eve atthe Baptist Church rather bad night, &c.” “February18th, (The night before a stranger called and asked to spend the night).Morning got up as usual. The stranger staid till 7 A.M. Asked mywife for a drink of water. While she was out he took my watch andtook to his legs. I followed him to Cuba then took the trainto Friendship to head him off then to Genesee.” (Said he neverfound the thief)“March28th, Went to town and took the old wagon to P. Fuller to have it fixed.Back lame and sore yet. Bro. Blackman came here. Another fire intown, the tavern, barn, livery stable &c.” “April7th& 8th, 3 ½ o’clock A.M. started for the river and got on the raftfor E.C.V. for Warren. Run to State Line. Landed safe and staid atJohn Tomes all night. Cost $1.00, 2 meals and bed….Started about 7A.M. and run safe and landed safe at Warren and got all cupled andstaid all night in shanty &c.” “April9th, Morn got up, washed and took a cup of tea and then our pilot laid ontie the lines and the raft commenced to move. 5 ½ o’clock. Had afine day to run. Landed all safe at Horse Creek, 4 miles above OilCity, about dark. Bunked.” (Back home on the 11th)May29th& 30th, Drew a load of hay to Manderville, 2300 at $12 per ____. Comehome and found R. E. Thomas and family with the remains ofCornelia…..Attended the funeral and burial of Cornelia Thomas. Homeand done the chores then R. E. Thomas and family started for home&c.”“June10th, Went to church in morning. After Sunday school went to the mill tosee about the raft. Come home and in the evening to concert inPresbyterian Church.” “July7th, Went to camp meeting at Portville and got a hired girl, Mary Conklin.Staid all night ta Father Percival’s.”“September17th, Went to town to fix fair grounds for the fair. Worked ½ day and thenwent to the depot and traded horses with Goodwin. Let colt go for aSorrell mare.” (He works taking the tents up and down while thefair is going on)“October20th, Hitched up the horses to the carriage and drove to Springville.Stopped at F. and had a fine day. Got through at six. Went and hearda speech on politics, &c.” Istopped here as I want to get this listed. Here are just a few names(of the many) that are listed in the diary…. NAMES:Fuller, Godfrey, Smith, Washburn, Dr. Blake, Charley and CorneliaThomas, Miller, Nobly, Warren Johnson, Rev. Lyman, Freeman, A. B.Rice, Amos Canfield, and more. Asyou can see in the scans above the diary is really in need of somearchival repair. The cover is torn on the spine and therefore pullingaway from the binding. All pages are in tact but also a bit loose.The diary measures about 4” x 6”. Please keep the poor conditionin mind when purchasing.
