eral miles west, graded. During the financial crisis in 1857, the work was suspended, and has never been recommenced. Fairville, (p. v.) about five miles north of Newark, contains 2 churches, Methodist and Presbyterian, 1 tannery, a hotel, school-house and about 185 inhabitants. Marbletown, near the south-east corner, is a hamlet containing about 100 inhabitants, all farmers. Jessup's Corners and Hydeville are small hamlets; the latter was the home of the Fox family, of "Rochester Rapping" notoriety. In this obscure place Spiritualism was born and nourished.

The settlement of the town was commenced by Joseph Winters and B. Franklin in 1791. Gilbert Howell and Paul Reese, settled in 1795; Samuel Soverhill in 1798; Humphrey Sherman, Reuben Starks and John Miller, from Long Island, in 1800; and Ebenezer Smith soon after. Jacob, Philip and Isaac Lusk came in from Columbia County in 1806, and purchased one square mile of land, which is now occupied by the village of Newark. Caleb Tibbetts came in in 1807, with Stephen Aldridge, Henry Croags, and Cooper Culver. Dr. A. Hyde settled in 1810. The first death occurred in 1792 a child in the family of B. Franklin; the first marriage in 1798, Hess and Amy Tibbetts. Hiram Soverhill, son of Samuel, was the first child born, in 1800. The first inn was kept by Stephen Aldridge, and the first store by J. P. Bartlett. The first church, (M. E.) was organized in 1805. J. Wesley Benton was the first settled minister, in 1806.

A very noted event transpired in this town, in the vicinity of Hydeville, viz: the origin of modern Spiritualism, previously mentioned. Margaret and Catharine Fox, and Elizabeth Fish, (a niece of the former girls,) were the first to discover an intelligence in the mysterious sounds known as the "rappings," on the night of March 31, 1849. The father of the sisters was a blacksmith, reported to be honest and industrious, who pursued his trade at that place. Those in the neighborhood who discard the idea of its spiritual origin, affirm that it was simply a ruse between the girls to dupe their mother, who was said to be very superstitious, or to subject her to the imposition so commonly practised on the 1st of April; and succeeding so well, they determined to initiate the whole family, and pursue their deception, at the expense of a credulous community, as a means of subsistence; while those who adhere to the belief in its validity, or superhuman origin, as firmly deny the assertion. Be that as it may, they created considerable excitement in the vicinity of Hydeville by exhibitions of what they termed "spirit manifestations." The people came in large numbers, from all directions, to witness this singular phenomena; some to deprecate and others to investigate its merits. About a month after its inception, they moved to Rochester, being unable to accommodate the throng of curious and eager spectators who daily visited them. At Roch

ester they gave public exhibitions in the halls at that place; hence the name, "Rochester Rappings." The incredulity of the people was aroused, and a series of investigations instituted; some claiming for it a spiritual origin, but the majority pronouncing it a humbug or delusion. From this source the great body of Spiritualists originated, numbering millions of professed believers. If it be an evil, it is a gigantic one. It has steadily progressed until it has developed itself into an acknowledged science, and effectually overcome a most bitter opposition from every other religious sect, and from scientists, whose realms it has dared to intrude. It has diffused itself over almost every part of the civilized globe, and numbers in its ranks some of the most learned and philosophical minds the world has ever produced. It has, and is still, agitating the minds of our most learned divines, whose rigid scrutiny it has challenged from the first, and ingenuously threatens to dethrone and revolutionize the hitherto presumed security of theology. It is a question which demands the careful and earnest attention of every rational, thinking being, and if it be the insidious monster it is claimed to be, should be speedily denounced and discountenanced.

BUTLER was formed from Wolcott, Feb. 26, 1826. It is the center town on the east border of the county. Its surface is diversified; level in the south-east, and rising into ridges in the north-west. The highest point is Armstrong Hill-named from Hon. Thos. Armstrong, who held prominent positions in public offices, as Member of Assembly and U. S. Senator. The principal stream is Wolcott Creek, which rises in the north-east, and flowing in a circuitous course, leaves the town near the north-west corner. The soil in the valley is a gravelly loam, and on the hills it is generally clay, with a tenacious sub-soil. Lime is manufactured in the north part to a limited extent. The population of the town, from census of 1865, was 2,083; area 21,993 acres. It contains 15 schools, in which 15 teachers are employed for the season. average attendance during the year 1866, was 254. The expenses for the support of schools during the same year was $2.504.20. Private schools are taught during the winter season, supported by individual effort. The Normal system of teaching has been uniformly adopted throughout the entire county, great improvement having been made within the past few years. Much is owing to the untiring efforts of Dr. M. F. Sweeting, of South Butler, (who was the first School Commissioner in the county,) for this radical change.

The

South Butler, (p. v.) on the south line, contains 4 churches: 1 Baptist, 1 Disciple, 1 Methodist Episcopal and 1 Second Advent; 1 hotel, 1 steam flouring mill, 1 steam saw mill, I tannery, and other mechanical operations. It has three schools and about 450

inhabitants.

West Butler, (p. o.) a little north of center, contains 1 hotel, 1 school and about 60 inhabitants. Westbury, (p. v.) in north-east corner, partly in the town of Victory, Cayuga County, contains about 100 inhabitants. Butler Center contains 1 church (M. E.) and about 12 houses.

Settlement was commenced in 1802. John Grand and Paul Wellman settled near the Center in 1807; also, Roger Olmstead, Henry Brunnel, Aaron Hoppin and Mrs. Bunce, previous to that time. Morris and Seth Craw came in in 1807; the former is still living in South Butler, and is 75 years old. Capt. Peter Mills and Wm. Hallett came in in 1805, Abijah Moore in 1806, and Orastus Hubbard about the same time. Horace Peck came in in 1810; he died in the Fall of 1865, aged 77 years. Ranson Winans was the first child born. The first death was that of Jedediah Wheeler, in April, 1811. Jesse Olmstead built the first saw mill, at the CenMorris Craw kept the first inn, in 1817. The first local minister was Caleb Mills. Rev. Antoinette L. Brown, the first woman ever regularly ordained in the State, was settled for several years over the Congregational Church at South Butler.

ter.

GALEN was formed from Junius, (Seneca Co.) Feb. 14, 1812. It was formerly Township No. 27 of the Military Tract, and received its name from having been appropriated to the Medical Department. Savannah was taken off in 1824. It lies on the south border of the county, east of the center. Its surface is hilly in the east, but more level in the west. In the south-west is a large tract of swamp land. Clyde River-named by Wm. McNab, agent of the Hornby Estate, Geneva,-flows through the town from west to east, in a circuitous course. The soil is a rich, sandy and gravelly loam. There is more business, of a mercantile and mechanical nature, carried on here than in any other town in the county, which, while it numerically increases its population, adds essentially to its material growth and prosperity. The products of the manufacturing and other mechanical interests of the town, afford employment and sustenance to about one-half the inhabitants. The remainder rely upon the fruits of agriculture. The N. Y. C. R. R. and the Erie Canal pass through the town, a little north of the center. The projected Sodus Canal-not yet completed-forms a junction with the Erie about the center of the town. 19 schools, 1 high school included, employing 26 teachers, with an average yearly attendance of 702 scholars, costing $8,285.92 during the year 1866. The population of the town in 1865 was 5,314; area 35,299 acres.

There are

Clyde, (p. v.) near the center, on Clyde River, was incorporated May 2, 1835. This location was originally called "Block House,"

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from a block house built here by Indian traders at an early day. During the Revolution it was converted into a "station," for smuggling goods from Canada via Sodus Bay, by the Tories. After it had assumed the dimensions of a village, it was named "Lauraville," from Henrietta Laura, Countess of Bath, daughter and heiress of Sir William Pulteney. Its name was changed to Clyde in 1818. The canal passes through the village. It is also a station on the N. Y. C. R. R. It contains 6 churches: 1 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist, 1 Baptist, 1 Methodist Episcopal, 1 Episcopalian, and 1 Catholic; 3 banks, 1 newspaper office, (The Clyde Times) 1 window glass factory, 1 glass bottle factory, a distillery, steam flouring and saw mills, grain warehouses and elevators, 2 furnaces, &c., for manufacturing agricultural implements and heavy machinery, 2 cooperages, a brewery, 2 paper mills, 4 malt houses, and 1 tannery. Population about 3,100. Clyde possesses more valuable commercial advantages, naturally, than belongs to most villages in Western New York. Surrounded by hundreds of square miles of productive soil, whose products find them the most convenient market, and in that market enterprising, competing capitalists, who are shrewd in commercial matters where immediate gain appears in favorable prospective; but none of these as yet have been far-seeing enough to make a successful move towards improving the more essential public advantages lying in store for capital and enterprise of a future day.

This village is only ten miles from the navigable waters of Great Sodus Bay-the best harbor on the south shore of Lake Ontario— and the surface of the country between these points of suitable soil and easy grade for making a railroad cheaply, thus opening an avenue for a vast trade of coal, lumber, agricultural products, and various other articles of commerce, that would naturally pass through this short and convenient connection, were it established. A company was organized Jan. 22, 1853, with a capital of $150,000, to carry this work into execution; but, owing to clashing interests of selfish individuals, the project was abandoned after a survey had been effected which pronounced it a feasible route. The natural advantages for making a canal by this route was sufficiently apparent to early attract the attention of prominent individuals, among whom was the late Gen. Wm. H. Adams. Charters were obtained and much work has been effected upon this enterprise, which is still being agitated by the heirs of Gen. Adams, (to whom the right of way has been secured,) but owing to a combination of unforeseen events which have tended to retard its progress, the work still remains incomplete.

The First National Paper Manufacturing Co. of Clyde, (Darwin Calvin, President,) commenced building in the early part of Sept., 1866. They have recently commenced operations, and

The estimated product

the enterprise promises to be a success. of the mill is nine tons of manilla wrapping paper per week. Their machinery and buildings are entirely new throughout.The Clyde Paper Manufacturing Co's (Aaron Griswold, President,) buildings and machinery are entirely new, having been completed this year. The capacity of the mill is twelve tons of printing paper per week. The Company commenced making paper in Feb., 1867. The process of making straw paper is as follows:- -About 95 per cent. of straw and 5 of manilla rope, are cut fine, by a machine made for the purpose, preparatory to being put into the boiler, or steeper, (usually capable of holding about 3,000 lbs.) where it remains from ten to twelve hoursthe boiler being constructed so as to make about two revolutions per minute. Soda-ash and lye are used to reduce the stock.— When it has sufficiently softened, it is put into a paper engine to convert it into pulp. The paper engine consists of a large vat about two and a half feet high, with a wheel constructed, in which are inserted thirty-six steel knives, making 175 revolutions per minute, which cuts the straw very fine. It is thoroughly washed by water passing a brass cylinder sieve, or washer. It is subjected to this action about six hours, before being thoroughly converted into pulp. It is now passed through a pipe inserted in the bottom of the engine, and conveyed to an agitator, from which it is pumped into a square box and run into vats, where the paper is first formed on brass beds or molds. From these it is conveyed, by means of a felt belt, through press rollers, thus pressing the water from the pulp. It is then passed through six large iron cylinders, or rollers, heated by steam.This is called the drying process. It next passes through Calender Rollers, upon which an immense weight is brought to bear; by this means it receives a fine glossy surface. From these it is wound upon reels, holding about 2100 feet each, from which it passes through a cutting machine, and cut into any size required. Two girls are employed to receive the paper and pile it as it passes from the cutter, after which it is counted and packed into quires, reams, and bundles. It is now ready for market. A composition of chlorine and other substances is used to bleach the paper while it is being converted to pulp. Various ingenious mechanical devices are employed to facilitate its transfer from one part of the mill to the other, thereby dispensing with much manual labor in the different processes through which it passes.

The Clyde Glass Works, owned by Messrs. Southwick and Reed, forms another important feature in the manufacturing interests of this busy village. This Company are engaged in the manufacture of bottles and window glass, each comprising different and separate departments. The composition used for each is the same, though