EDITORIAL NOTES

VOLUME TWENTY-TWO.-With the present issue the Publications Series of the Buffalo Historical Society attains the respectable proportions of twenty-two volumes, of which the present editor is responsible for nineteen. Whatever their merit, or usefulness as a repository of regional history, it is but natural that he should view them with some favor, cherishing the belief that through them some real service has been performed not only for the present but for coming generations. The high standard set by the editor and compiler of volumes One and Two-the Rev. Albert Bigelow-still serves as a mark for emulation. In a monetary way those first two volumes are becoming more and more valuable, for they are in demand, but hard to find. Some of the later issues, especially volume XVI, “The Picture Book of Earlier Buffalo," are already scarce. The series to date is by long odds the most valuable collection of material relating to the history of Buffalo and the Niagara Frontier, in existence, and its cash value is not over-stated at one hundred dollars.

A TRIBUTE. The papers in this volume are of varied character; but the principal group, including Mr. Julian Park's valuable "History of the University of Buffalo," Mrs. Frederick J. Shepard's historical sketch of the Women's Educational and Industrial Union, and the tributes of Dr. Charles G. Stockton and Mr. Adelbert Moot respectively to the memory of Dr. Roswell Park and Dr. Ernest Wende, all relate to the history of education in Buffalo, or to the life work of men devoted to the upbuilding of the University. The Chancellor of the University, Mr. Charles P. Norton, was to have been one of the speakers at the Park and Wende memorial meeting held by the Historical Society on the evening of April 18, 1916. Unable to share in the programme, the Chancellor sent to the Secretary a note, containing the following fine appreciation of Dr. Park and his work:

It is not so many years ago that it became apparent to men of first-rate intelligence that the conditions of life and of thought of the present time had changed from anything that men had previously known. I think Dr. Park, as a scientific man of first-rate intelligence, knew and felt deeply this impulse of his day. My belief is that he sought to apply to Buffalo through the University of Buffalo the basic principles of the intellectual advance of the latter half of the Nineteenth Century. He, with a few other men of intellectual impulse and vision, instituted the propaganda of the University movement as the best agent for putting his chosen city in touch with and abreast of

the unseen and vaguely understood laws that were carrying onward and upward humanity in his own generation.

At all events, some time in the later '80's, or early '90's, he, with a few others, began to try to adapt newly discovered knowledge to the needs of the neighborhood of Buffalo. He instituted departments of pedagogy and veterinary surgery in the University, and sought to centralize and organize the departments of the University already existing. These departments of pedagogy and veterinary surgery failing, he, with others, took up the bolder and grander project of the creation of the Department of Arts and Sciences. To most Buffalo men, the large capital needed for this project branded it as impracticable. It has been an incalculable boon to Buffalo that the University of Buffalo possessed a leader of Dr. Park's undaunted courage, who both by his commanding personality prevented the cold business common-sense of that day from rendering this scheme abortive; and by his sagacity foresaw that Buffalo's manifest destiny was toward a commercial prosperity which would put the means for the accomplishment of such a department within reach of its citizens. Others foresaw the benefits of the scheme, but considered it impossible. He, with a few others, alone foresaw that it was not only desirable but possible.

Of his twenty years' labor toward its accomplishment I say nothing. All men know it. This man performed many great works in his career, but to me the greatest was his instant response to his understanding of the best impulse of his day, and his unswerving, untiring, and undaunted labor to achieve its benefits for his friends, his neighbors, and his fellow citizens.

A BUFFALO POET'S TRIBUTE.-Not the least valuable feature of this volume is Mrs. Frederick J. Shepard's historical record of the Women's Educational and Industrial Union, an institution which served well its purpose for many years, the story of which in its last chapter merges into that of the University of Buffalo. A generation ago, when the Union's work begun, a beloved teacher and poet of Buffalo was Miss Mary A. Ripley. The following lines, written by her, and printed on a souvenir for the opening exercises, October 30, 1886, may be recalled and preserved here:

As a brave oak in meadow green,

Through many a lingering summer stands,
Wrought on by Nature's myriad hands,
"Till far abroad its pride is seen;

And wins its strength from beating storm,

And all its veins with sweetness fills,

And drinks its life from hidden rills,

And slowly builds a noble form;

And spreads a shade for noon-tide rest,
And kindly cheers the panting beast,
Inviting to the dewy feast,

And comforting each humble guest;

So grand, a human purpose grows―
It lifts itself by slow degrees,
'Till suddenly the watcher sees
How gracious, how divine it shows.

Oh friends, you read my meaning clear!
No word is worth before strong deeds,
That serve and succor human needs-
And yet I greet you freely here;

And bring my little meed of praise-
A daisy snatched beside the way,
Unfit to deck so proud a day-

A weed to mingle with your bays.

A UNIQUE CANAL SOUVENIR.-This volume contains a report of the participation of the Buffalo Historical Society in the exercises at Rome, N. Y., July 4, 1917, commemorative of the first construction work on the Erie Canal, one hundred years before, at Rome. One interesting incident of the celebration was the exhibition of the original model according to which the first boats on the canal were built. The model, which is 35 inches long, made of cedar, and finely put together, was brought from England in 1817 by Canvass White, and remained in his family for fifty years. It then passed into the family of his kinsman, William C. White of Whitesboro, who presented it to the Buffalo Historical Society. President Hill carried it down to Rome, carefully wrapped-for it is very fragile-under and brought it back in the same manner.

his arm,

NIAGARA SHIP CANAL SCHEMES.-Hon. Henry W. Hill has performed a notable service in writing the "Historical Sketch of Niagara Ship Canal Projects," which appears in this volume. It is a phase of local history, of wide interest, which has not hitherto been adequately presented. One note, relevant to the subject, may be here appended.

In 1840 the matter of a Niagara Ship Canal was brought to the attention of Congress through resolutions introduced by Mr. Duer of Oswego, authorizing the Federal Government to construct such a canal around Niagara Falls. In the debate which followed, the proposition was vigorously and successfully opposed by Mr. Hawley

of Buffalo. He cited the instance of the Welland canal, alleging that since its construction it had not been able to pay two per cent. on the construction cost. He further urged that a Niagara Ship Canal would injure the commercial interests of New York State; that it would be of no value in a war emergency; and that it would so draw away traffic from the Erie Canal as to ruin that great thoroughfare. Mr. Hawley took the ground that it having become the established policy of the State to promote and develop the interests of the rural communities by means of the facilities of the Erie Canal, it would be a radical mistake to construct another canal whose only operation would be to nullify that policy. Mr. Hawley's speech on the subject is reported at considerable length in the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser and Journal of February 25, 1840.

THE TUSCARORAS.-One paper in this volume dealing with the Tuscaroras is chiefly an attempt to trace their migrations down to the time of their settlement in Western New York. It throws no new light on those distant years when they were said to belong to the Iroquois Confederacy, before they wandered into the South-land. There are no records of that early time--nothing but myth and legend, which weigh but little with the student who seeks facts.

The historian Schoolcraft has preserved a tradition to the effect that the Tuscaroras began their existence as an organized people, in the vicinity of Oswego Falls; that they migrated thence to Lake Erie, then to the Mississippi; a part of them crossed the great river and became the enemies of those who remained on the eastern bank, and were finally lost and forgotten. He further records:

Terenyawagon, the Holder of the Heavens, who was the patron of the home bands, did not fail, in this crisis, to direct their way also. After giving them practical instructions in war and hunting, he guided their footsteps in their journeys, south and east, until they had crossed the Alleghenies and reached the shores of the sea, on the coasts of what are now called the Carolinas. They were directed to fix their residence on the banks of the Cautano, that is, "a pine in the water," now called Neuse river. in North Carolina. By this time their language was altered, but not so much but that they could understand each other. Here Terenyawagon left them to hunt, increase and prosper, whilst he returned to form the Iroquois Confederacy. 1

Excellent as is our authority, this is obviously not history, but tradition. History picks up the Tuscaroras exactly where tradition leaves them. They were living on the Neuse and the Taw, the

1. "Census of the Iroquois," 64 (1845). See also Elias Johnson's "Legends, Traditions and Laws of the Iroquois, or Six Nations, and History of the Tuscarora Indians," Lockport, N. Y., 1881.

Roanoke, the Pamlico and the Trent-a goodly land, between the mountains and the sea. Because it was good, white settlers pressed into it. When we first have authentic record of the Tuscaroras, they appear as an aggressive, warlike folk-as though they had carried south some of the qualities that made the Mohawks and Senecas feared in the North. They had been at war with other tribes in the region-Catawbas and Cherokees; and seem to have had rather the best of it. Later, when they came into conflict with the whites, they found a foe of different mettle.

We find no authentic record of the Tuscaroras earlier than 1708, at which date they dwelt, in several villages, in the region above indicated. The story of their return to the North is set forth in this volume; but the story of their original exodus from New York State probably can never be told.

RAPID TRANSIT IN BUFFALO.-During the past year there has been general and endless discussion and criticism regarding the means of transportation provided for the citizens of Buffalo within their own city. An early stage in the development of the system which we now enjoy (?) is amusingly recalled by the following item from the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser of June 23, 1835, where it bore the heading: "Westward the Omnibus doth take its way":

We this morning had the pleasure of witnessing the introduction among the numerous vehicles which throng our streets, of that very useful public accommodation-the Omnibus. The Atlantic cities have long enjoyed the facilities afforded by these conveniences, but this is the first attempt, we believe, to establish them west of New York. For this improvement we are indebted to our enterprising citizen, Benjamin Rathbun, whose tireless efforts for the advancement of our city interests, are so widely known and so highly valued. He has ordered three of these vehicles built in New York, one of which has arrived, and was this morning put in operation. It is a handsome and well-constructed carriage, and capable of containing about 16 persons, sitting vis-a-vis, and has a very equable and easy motion, which renders it a pleasant as well as useful conveyance. It is aptly named the "Experiment" and is drawn by four beautiful dark greys-running at present from the foot of Main street to the Eagle Tavern, every half hour. The other two are daily expected

from New York.

We hope that as Mr. Rathbun has procured these vehicles at much expense, for the use and accommodation of the public, without any desire or expectation of private emolument, the enterprise may be liberally sustained.