By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum Director – Vol. 2 No. 24
When thinking about the history of the Hamlet of Childs, one’s attention is quickly drawn to J. Howard Pratt (shown at right), who served as Town of Gaines Historian for over 30 years, active in forming the Orleans County Historical Association and one of the founding fathers of the Cobblestone Society.
Howard’s appreciation for all things historic led him to become known as Orleans County’s dean of local history, a moniker that stuck with him all throughout his 99-year life.
Mr. Pratt was born on August 15, 1889 to Mr. and Mrs. John Henry Pratt. He and his sister Florence (James) attended rural school on the Ridge Road. Howard was a member of the first agriculture class at the Albion High School, graduating in 1911. Following graduation he attended a training class and earned a certificate to teach in public schools.
Howard’s first teaching position was in 1911 at Riches Corners earning $11 per week. He then taught the upper grades in Barre Center earning $12 per week, a raise in pay he thought to be quite substantial at the time. Later schools where Howard taught included the Bullard District on Ridge Road, Oak Orchard-on-the-Ridge and finishing up his teaching career at Eagle Harbor in 1936.
Pratt homestead, remodeled on several occasions, now Pitman residence
Howard met the love of his life, Leola Budd, and the two were married in 1914. They had four children, Marjorie (Rustay), John, Beth (Nesbitt) and Roger. Pratt lived with his family at 12883 Ridge Road in Gaines for most of his life. The Pratt homestead was originally purchased by Howard’s grandfather in 1842. Howard’s wife Leola died in 1972.
For about 10 years, Pratt spent two weeks each summer at Cooperstown learning crafts. He later became known as the “Chair-Man” and taught chair caning classes in his home. Pratt was the organizer of the first 4-H Club, known as the “Potato Club” and during WWII, he became the Orleans County 4-H Agent. During the three years Pratt served as County Agent, he did 34 radio programs on WHAM.
Following his term with 4-H, Pratt joked that he “retired” to farming. He recalled the days he worked as a farmer and drove cattle from Williamsville near Buffalo to his pasture land on the Ridge, a distance of about 50 miles. The trip took three days to complete. All of that followed a trip to Chicago by train to buy cattle, and then a return ride with the animals in the freight car back to New York. Howard took pride in his prize winning herd of Guernsey cattle. He accumulated about 1,500 ribbons from county and state fairs for his animals.
Pratt remarked that most retellings of the American Experience, fail to mention just how hard it was, and how much sweat it took, to make a living by farming. He also remembered something as simple as the odor that lingered when his mother baked fresh muffins with honey and molasses. Or, he remembered something more specific like the clothes President McKinley wore for the parade at the Pan American Exhibition in 1901 on the day before the president was assassinated.
About the time that Howard retired from farming, the Cobblestone Society was being formed and Pratt was asked to take charge of the Society’s Cobblestone School, a position he proudly accepted and continued for much of his later life. Pratt joined forces with retired cobblestone schoolhouse teacher, Ruth Applegate (shown with Pratt above) and the two were often seen leading school tours at the District #5 Cobblestone Schoolhouse.
Howard Pratt’s efforts greeting visiting students and leading the “typical day” tour at the one room schoolhouse were cherished moments for hundreds of school children over several decades. Pratt is shown here in the Cobblestone School with students from Barnard Elementary School near Rochester in 1967. He was 78 years old at the time.
Howard, very interested in Abraham Lincoln, would often dress in Lincoln costume and whiskers and lecture groups of school children about the Great Emancipator. Pratt recalls that this “impersonation” first began when he was Historian for the Town of Gaines and he decided to pose as the nation’s 16th president during the town’s Sesquicentennial Celebration in the 1959.
Later, in June 1962, he even made a trip to Washington, D.C., where he was asked to give a talk on the life of A. Lincoln. His convincing first-person presentation at the time was described as “nothing short of startling!” Howard recalled the trip with interest, “At the Lincoln Memorial my resemblance to Lincoln created such excitement that the guards came over and told me I’d better move along. I was getting more attention than the statue.”
Similar excitement erupted at the White House during Pratt’s living history visit. “Everyone wanted to get a picture with me,” he said. Over his many years, Pratt enjoyed presenting Abraham Lincoln to thousands of grade school children throughout Orleans County and beyond.
Throughout his life Howard developed a keen insight into local history. He was first appointed historian for the Town of Gaines in 1957. In 1959 he was appointed Co-Chairman with Cary Lattin for the Gaines Sesquicentennial. In 1960, he was elected to the Cobblestone Society’s first board of directors.
In 1968 Howard received a Certificate of Commendation from the American Association for State and Local History. Howard was instrumental in establishing the Orleans County Historical Association in 1979 to continue the work which was begun for the celebration of the nation’s Bicentennial in 1976.
Howard Pratt with NYS Assemblyman R. Stephen Hawley and local author, Irene Gibson, when the authors were given special commendations from the NYS Legislature in 1980.
As a historian, Pratt turned his story telling ability into writing books on the subject. “Memories of Life on the Ridge” was his first of three books that would tell the autobiographical stories of his life His first book actually followed a five year stint writing a series of articles entitled, “Saga of the Ridge,” which were published in the Medina Journal-Register from 1964-1969. Pratt recalled that while writing those earlier articles, many folks asked him when he was going to compile the stories into a book. He responded to that with, “Now I finally have.” He said, “I never wanted to be a writer, but I always liked telling stories.” Later publications authored by Pratt included “Saga of the Ridge” in 1983, and “Life on the Ridge,” written in 1987 when Pratt was 98 years old.
When he wasn’t working on authoring one of his books about local history, Howard Pratt enjoyed his hobbies of painting (two of his paintings shown above), caning chairs, and restoring antique furniture. Howard also liked to travel and took several trips to Europe. On his third trip to Ireland he said, “I finally kissed the Blarney Stone when I was over there this summer. I love to travel and meet people because I learn so much. And, I love to talk.”
Pratt, even into his 90s, was always seen, out and about. At the age of 90 he took a nasty tumble, and fell off his roof while cleaning his gutters. After nursing his bruises, he was seen later that same year helping with repairs while standing on top of the roof at Pullman Memorial Church. Also at age 90, Howard was seen planting several peach trees in the back of his house.
Howard and his family were long time members of the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church which was dedicated in 1895. Local historian Bill Lattin recalls one time that Howards’ sister, Florence, was asked if she was present at the dedication of the church with George Pullman in attendance. She allowed how both she and her father attended. The inquisitor asked next, “Florence, did your brother Howard attend, too?” Florence replied with a droll little smile, “No. He was naughty and had to stay home.”
Sadly, Howard died at age 99, just a few months shy of his 100th birthday. He did however reflect earlier about his long life and said, “There’s no real secret to longevity. Stay active and keep working at what you enjoy.” Another typical Pratt witticism was “Everything comes to him who waits, if he works while he waits.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 June 2021 at 1:10 pm
Photos courtesy of Jenn Molisani Photography: Pat Fox is pictured with Medina senior Sydney Watts before the prom a week ago. Fox and her husband Bob have operated the Garden View Bed & Breakfast for the past 20 years. They are happy to have the Medina students stop by for photos.
MEDINA – It was 30 years ago when one of Pat Fox’s friends asked if she could use Fox’s backyard for photos before the prom.
Fox loves to share the space, and said yes. That friend brought her daughter, and many of her daughter’s friends. About 40 Medina students showed up with the ladies in gowns and the gentleman wearing suits or tuxes.
“That friend invited her friends and they just kept coming,” Fox said.
That was the start of a Medina tradition. Now Pat and her husband Bob have a steady stream of Medina prom attendees stop by. A week ago about 175 were in her backyard from about 3:45 to 6:15 p.m.
There was only one year the students didn’t come over. It was a major downpour that day.
Fox and her husband are grateful to host all of the students on the special day.
“It’s a tradition in Medina to come here,” Fox said this morning at her garden. “It makes me feel good. It’s a way that I can give back to the community.”
Fox is retired banker who worked with Fleet Bank in Albion and Medina. She also was a staffer for former State Assembly David Seaman of Lockport.
Tending to her garden has always been a labor of love. She has stone walkways, and flowers that are an explosion of color. The gazebo is a very popular spot for pictures. People also like the rose arbor and her llama barn.
Fox grew up on a farm and she said she likes the hard work of keeping up a garden.
“I still do all of the gardens,” Fox said. “It takes me a lot longer than it used to, but I enjoy it. This is my life and I love it.”
She relishes sitting in the back yard and watching canal boats pass by, or the cyclists and joggers. She can also see farmers planting and harvesting crops in the distance, depending on the season.
She has a gift for hospitality and is well known for her brownies. Fox and her husband 20 years ago opened the Garden View Bed & Breakfast, opening up two rooms in their home. Customers have now filled six guestbooks.
The Foxes didn’t have any guests for about a year, from March 2020 to only a few months ago. The bed & breakfast is another way to share her home and property with people.
“We have met so many wonderful people over the years,” Fox said about her customers at the bed & breakfast and the students and their families who stop by for photos. “God has given me a good life and I want to give back.”
These students find a nice spot for a photo at Pat Fox’s backyard. From left include Amanda Woodruff, Dakota Alexander, Sydney Watts, Madison Stewart, Mia Hobbs, Evie Schultz, Corine Hill and Emma Carson.
Provided photo: This group is shown in front of the gazebo. They include FaithAnn Vanderwalker, Hannah Kenward, Abby Blount and Sophia Cardone.
LYNDONVILLE – Lyndonville Central School will be hosting a pre-kindergarten/kindergarten registration and information event on Monday, July 4, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. during the Lyndonville 4th of July celebration.
Staff will be available in the lawn in front of the school (Main Street location) to help families/students sign up for the 2021-22 school year and gather contact information for younger children in the community. Staff will also answer questions about Lyndonville’s PreK and kindergarten programs, complete craft projects and read stories to children.
The district received a NYB5 Transition grant from the NYS Department of Child & Family Services to help fund this outreach program.
Lyndonville is currently accepting registrations for both their PreK and kindergarten 2021-22 programs. If you are a resident of LCSD and your child will be 3, 4 or 5 by December 1, 2021, they are eligible to enroll. For more information, please see the district’s website: Lyndonville Central School District (lyndonvillecsd.org) or call (585) 765-3122.
This project is supported by the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five Initiative (PDGB5), Grant Number 90TP005902, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is releasing the following statement after joining a panel on Thursday morning hosted by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) to discuss the importance of a swift reopening of the US – Canada border.
“These conversations with advocates on both sides of the border are critical to building pressure for answers and action on reopening the US – Canada border. Sixteen months of indefinite closures have been devastating to separated cross-border families, homeowners, and our two economies.
“With the June 21st deadline for ending or extending restrictions approaching, it is of paramount importance that a specific plan to be developed and clearly articulated to citizens in both nations. I will continue to advocate for reopening the US – Canada border until we get significant movement, and I urge the leaders of our nations to act swiftly.”
Jacobs introduced the Northern Border Reopening Transparency Act last week to force the Biden administration to release critical information to Congress on their efforts to establish a plan to reopen the US – Canada border.
Press Release, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County
Provided photos: The new little free library is filled and ready for the public. It is located outside the Dwight “Buzz” Hill Education Center.
KNOWLESVILLE – The Cornell Cooperative Extension office on Route 31 has a new structure on its grounds, albeit a small one. In a collaborative effort between Master Gardeners, 4-H and CCE staff, a mini free library has been constructed and installed at the entrance to the Honor Garden in the front lawn of the office building.
Horticulture Educator Katie Oakes had the idea for the library after cleaning out the Master Gardener closet in the office.
“There were so many gardening, wildlife, and nature books that have never sold at our plant sales. I was just brainstorming the best way to get these educational resources out into the community,” explained Oakes. “My kids and I love browsing the little free book boxes located all over the county, and I thought something similar on the grounds here would be a great way to get people interested in some of these topics.”
Oakes brought up the idea to the Master Gardeners in early February, seeking feedback and guidance. With budgets tight because of the ongoing pandemic, funding the project appeared to be the first hurdle. Long-time Master Gardener Don O’Keefe stepped in and generously offered to personally donate the funds needed to purchase building supplies.
“I really liked this idea because unlike flowers and plants that have their own seasons, if nurtured… a library is forever,” O’Keefe said. “I hope that with it being on the extension grounds, it continues to provide information and encourage the public to exchange ideas.”
Other collaborators to the project included Sherwin Williams of Brockport who donated paint and primer. Construction of the library was done by OCCCE facilities manager Pete Beach with the help of his grandson Joe Cecchini, an enrolled 4-Her.
The cheerful red library stands along the sidewalk to the OCCCE office, at the edge of the Honor Garden, a project designed by Master Gardeners and paved with memorial bricks honoring contributors’ loved ones. The public is welcome to take any material they’d like with no obligation to leave another book in its place.
The intention will be to keep the library stocked with educational materials the Cooperative Extension office no longer has need for – the gently used gardening books, older versions of 4-H textbooks, Cornell booklets that are no longer in print, etc.
The sign on the library door encourages people to take a book “and grow your mind!”
Several of the books included in the library were donated by the family of lifelong CCE supporter Gail Culver after she passed away last year. Gail worked for years as the Genesee County CCE Master Gardener Coordinator, then served as a Master Gardener volunteer in Orleans County after her retirement.
Gail was a volunteer with the Orleans County 4-H program for over 40 years and tirelessly devoted herself to educating children about gardening, nature and wildlife. Many of the books donated by her family are duplicates or older editions of books already on the Orleans County CCE office bookshelves, and sharing them with the public allows for Gail’s legacy of education and volunteerism to continue.
“I hope people can take a book home and learn something new because of this new library,” Oakes stated. “Our offices are here to help our community grow, and I think this library enables that mission even when there’s not an actual event or program going on.”
To learn more about the subjects described in the free books or any other 4-H, agriculture, or gardening topic, contact the Orleans County CCE office at 585-798-4265 or email orleans@cornell.edu.
MEDINA – A workshop on headstone cleaning and resetting has been rescheduled. The workshop was set for this Saturday but has been moved to June 26 due to unpredictable weather on Saturday.
The workshop will start at 10 a.m. on June 26 at the cemetery on North Gravel Road. Kurt Riegel of Riegel Restoration in Sidney, NY is a historical preservationist specializing in gravestone restoration and historical window restoration. He will be giving a hands-on workshop and discussion on the dos and don’ts of cleaning, maintenance and resetting of historical headstones that have fallen into disrepair.
The workshop is open to all who are interested in the community. There will be a $10 admission fee at arrival. Additional donations are appreciated and will go towards headstone repair in Boxwood. No reservation is required.
Attendants are asked to bring along a clean bucket, a soft plastic brush, lawn chair, and a lunch if desired. The stone cleaning tutorial will start first at 10 a.m. and the stone resetting will follow. All are welcome to attend one or both workshops (approximately 3 to 4 hours total).
The Friends of Boxwood gratefully accepts any donation made by community members to help with these efforts. Donations may be mailed to ORG/ Friends of Boxwood, P.O. Box 543, Medina, NY 14103. Please visit the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery Facebook page.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 June 2021 at 10:20 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
KENDALL – Caleb Opalecky, a Kendall sixth-grader, is in a cloud of color powder during a color splash as part of the sixth-graders moving up ceremony this evening outside the Kendall Elementary School.
Brayden Steffen is blasted with color powder in the not-so-stuffy moving up ceremony.
The event had been the junior-senior high school auditorium in years past, until last year when there was a drive-through outdoor ceremony due to Covid restrictions. Students that year hopped out of their cars for a splash of color in a quick moving up presentation.
This year, with Covid restrictions eased, the ceremony stayed outside and the 51 students in the class sat in chairs in the parking lot with their families.
Jacob Abrams makes a dramatic entrance. Each student walked through a decorated doorway along the sidewalk, and Middle School Principal Kevin Watson shared some of their highlights from school, as well as a favorite quote from the student, a favorite memory, a favorite teacher and their future dreams.
The sidewalk was decorated with messages from parents, congratulating the students on their success in the elementary school and wishing them well in the junior-senior high school.
Parker Denning, a Kendall sixth-grader, is doused with color from Kendall sixth grade teachers as part of a moving up celebration. The sixth graders next school year will be in the junior-senior high school. The six grade teachers include Meghan Dill and Erin Coughlin, left, and Gaby Watson and Amy Bateman, right.
Adriana Schiavone is all smiles after running through the cloud of powder.
Brayden Mack takes several shots of color powder from the sixth grade teachers.
Aliie Wietz takes some direct hits from the teachers, who delighted in their role.
Preston Manners disappears in a fog of color.
C.J. D’Agostino emerges from the cloud of color powder. The ceremony was about an hour and half and was high-energy, like many of the students. Kevin Watson, the principal, as was DJ and played a range of music from “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang to “Back in Black” by ACDC.
Kaitlyn Hinman takes her turn through the color splash.
Lucas Ogden closes his eyes and soaks up the color.
Olivia Sawyer runs through the color splash zone on a sidewalk next to the elementary school.
Devin Derosia leaves a trail of color powder after darting past the teachers.
After the students all went through the color splash, they enjoyed a hay ride on a flat bed truck, courtesy of Kludt Farms. The ride went from the elementary to the high school.
Dana Longrod (right) is retiring after 35 years as a Kendall elementary school teacher. He is currently teaching fifth grade. Each student presented him with his favorite drink, a can of Mountain Dew, or his favorite snack, a glazed donut. Here he accepts a can of Mountain Dew from sixth-grader Conner Millard.
Mr. Longrod took up the challenge from the students and was doused with color powder from the teachers.
Pandemic delayed infrastructure projects and there are historic low water levels in aquifer feeding Batavia treatment plant
Press Release, Genesee County government
BATAVIA – Genesee County officials continue to ask residents to conserve water, especially on hot dry days.
According to county officials, there are two driving factors behind the conservation efforts. The first is that the water infrastructure improvements the County planned to have in place by the summer of 2020 still have not been completed due to complications with the pandemic. Second, and more recently, the water level in the aquifer that feeds the City of Batavia Water Treatment Plant is approaching historic lows.
This chart shows how far below normal water levels are for this time of the year (-7 ft.). The orange/yellow line is 2021, the dashed line is the median (most common) and the lavender line is 2020. The deeper the water is below ground level, the more inefficient the well pumps are. The City of Batavia Water Treatment Plant provides nearly 50% of the County’s water needs.
The County stressed it has plenty of water 24/7/365 on average days, but without conservation efforts, producing enough water on hot, dry days will be challenging as groundwater levels will continue to drop through the summer. The County is again asking everyone to be smart with their water as summer progresses.
Please avoid watering lawns and washing cars. There is plenty of other ways to save water as well. Without water conservation measures in place, had events like Monday’s large barn fire in Le Roy occurred in the middle of a hot/dry stretch, there would have been major supply issues. There are plans in place for emergency water supply and pumping, but it is much easier if everyone works together to do a small part.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) will host a series of town hall meetings in Monroe County in the villages of Churchville and Brockport and the town of Hamlin on June 26, during which he will also be addressing the concerns of locals from the towns of Riga, Sweden and Clarkson.
Residents are encouraged to attend to discuss local issues and share any questions or concerns they have with Hawley.
All applicable health and safety protocols will be followed during this event.
Photos courtesy of OCH Foundation: Men’s Division winners (L-R): Don Skibnewski, Michael McCarthy, Gary McCarthy and Dr. Monti.
Press Release, Orleans Community Health Foundation
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health had a wonderful turn out last Friday for their 34th Annual Golf Tournament held at Shelridge Country Club in Medina. The event is planned and co-hosted by the OCH Foundation and staff from Orleans Community Health.
This year they had a goal of raising $18,000 to purchase equipment for the radiology department at Medina Memorial Hospital. With tremendous support from sponsors and the 112 golfers in attendance, they exceeded the goal and raised approximately $24,000!
Stopping for lunch at the club house are Cindy Perry and Rebecca Manella who also took a moment to catch up with Kimberly Gray.
The radiology equipment being purchased is a part of the larger annual fundraising campaign, “Together We Are Stronger”, that the OCH Foundation is running this year. Their overall goal is to raise $350,000 for eight different projects throughout all of the Orleans Community Health that will benefit registration, pharmacy, the lab, patient care, facilities, cardiology and radiology. The remaining funds raised at the tournament will roll over into the campaign and be used to fill any funding gaps that may exist in any one of these areas.
The scramble tournament began around 10 a.m. with brief announcements from Heather Smith, OCH Foundation Executive Director, and Marc Shurtz, OCH CEO and President. The pair emphasized how grateful they were for everyone attending and how much the community has supported them this past year. Throughout the day, participants could enter for a chance to win a putting contest, multiple 50/50 raffles, a $500 Cash Raffle, and gift baskets that were donated by staff from various departments at OCH and community organizations.
The tournament winners with a score of 60 were Dr. Monti, Gary McCarthy, Michael McCarthy and Don Skibnewski. Our mixed team winners were Mark Klentowski, Ryan Fisher and Bob Hermann with a score of 67. The Longest Drive winners were Jake Cooper and Elise Edward. And the Closest to the Pin winners were Janelle Cordle and John Cureo.
The OCH Foundation has two more events coming up this year, starting with the $10,000 Mega Drawing to be held on September 14th and then the “Treasure Island” Benefit Event on November 6th. Tickets for the Mega Drawing are on sale now and can be reserved by calling the foundation office at (585) 798-8426. More information on the OCH Foundation and this year’s campaign are online at www.supportoch.org.
Thank you to all of our sponsors, volunteers, board members, and staff at Shelridge for all of your support.
Mixed Division Winners (L-R): Mark Klentowski, Ryan Fisher and Bob Hermann.
Privies could be conduits for spreading infectious diseases
This is a ticket for a “complaint of nuisance in Medina more than a century ago. With these tickets the investigating officer would note observations on the reverse of the complaint docket. Typical observations might include: “found complaint justified” or “has connected with sewer”
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
Illuminating Orleans, Vol. 1, No. 12
The recent article on the collection of outhouses at the Cobblestone Museum prompted us to consider the matter further.
While farm outhouses had the advantage of space and could be relocated if necessary, conditions were more crowded in villages and cities. Municipal sanitation control was a significant issue as reflected in village ordinances.
Initially, the disposal of household wastes was the responsibility of the homeowner. Typically a nearby vacant lot or body of water would be used.
The earliest drains were installed primarily to accommodate rain storms and melting snow but also carried sewage. Odors were the main concern as the prevailing belief was that odors transmitted germs. The connection between contaminated water and diseases was not recognized until 1854 when John Snow, an English physician, carefully mapped cholera cases in London and narrowed the cause down to a contaminated well pump. In Buffalo, for example, outbreaks of typhoid and cholera persisted until discharges were routed south of the city’s water intakes.
Privies with vaults and leaching cesspools were an advancement, but they still had to be cleared periodically. The following references are to the Village of Medina, but the same patterns of development prevailed throughout the county.
The Board of Health Ordinance published the following in the Medina Tribune on July 2, 1874:
“No person shall have any privy upon any lot or premises within said corporation limits, without a vault under it at least four feet deep, and such vault shall be properly cleansed by using lime or other disinfecting substance therein.”
“No person shall be allowed to drain from any privy, vault, sink or cesspool in any street, alley or lane shall be properly secured by stone or other substantial covering.”
By 1893, these regulations were much stricter:
“No privy cesspool or reservoir into which any privy, stable or water-closets, sink or other receptacle of refuge or sewage is drained shall be constructed or maintained in any situation or in any manner whereby, through leakage or overflow of its contents, it may cause pollution of the soil near or about habitations, or of any well, spring or other source of water used for drinking or culinary purposes; nor shall the overflow from any such receptacle be permitted to discharge into any public place whereby danger to health may be caused.”
Furthermore, it was specified that receptacles of refuse or sewage were to be built of stone, the sides and bottom were to be tightly sealed with cement. A penalty of ten dollars a day ($267 currently, according to the Inflation Calculator) per day would be imposed for any violation.
The Board of Health was appointed annually by the Board of Trustees. According to the 1901 Charter and Ordinances of the Village of Medina, it was comprised of three members, with a “competent physician” as Health Officer. Practicing physicians were required to report any occurrences or pestilential or infectious diseases. The Board of Health had the power to publish ordinances. In addition, the Board had the power to regulate the height of water to be maintained in any race, stream, artificial water-course or feeder within the Village during the months of July, August and September and also to prescribe penalties for any violations of such.
The 1901 village Charter clearly outlined resident’s responsibilities with regard to
“Depositing putrid matter in the waterway” (five dollar fine for each offense),
“Throwing putrid matter upon sidewalk” (three dollar fine)
“Providing a convenient privy, at least three feet deep”
A comprehensive sewer system in the village was completed in 1893. Indoor plumbing was adopted gradually. There was some resistance to indoor plumbing at first, as the fear of sewer gases persisted, but plumbing improvements eliminated that problem. By 1908 the rates for household water charges included water-closets:
• Private house, 5 rooms: $5
• Each two additional rooms: .50c
• Bath tub in house: $2
• Water closet with house use: $4
• (Meter rates 50c per M gallons)
But, while domestic sanitation improved, the overall disposal system remained problematic as most municipal systems continued to discharge into local waterways for many years. The development of primary and secondary wastewater treatment plants took some time.
When thinking about the history of the Hamlet of Childs, one’s attention is quickly drawn to J. Howard Pratt (shown at right), who served as Town of Gaines Historian for over 30 years, active in forming the Orleans County Historical Association and one of the founding fathers of the Cobblestone Society.
Howard, very interested in Abraham Lincoln, would often dress in Lincoln costume and whiskers and lecture groups of school children about the Great Emancipator. Pratt recalls that this “impersonation” first began when he was Historian for the Town of Gaines and he decided to pose as the nation’s 16th president during the town’s Sesquicentennial Celebration in the 1959.
The recent article on the collection of outhouses at the Cobblestone Museum prompted us to consider the matter further.
