September 1991

About this Issue

Note from the Editors

This issue begins with Thomas Cornell's introduction to excerpts from Charles Lyell's Travels in North America in the Years 1841-1842. On his tour in this country the world-famous geologist traveled across New York State to Niagara Falls and then came back to Geneseo and moved through Dansville and Bath on his way to study the coal mines at Blossburg, Pennsylvania. Thomas Cornell is a historian of science on the faculty of the College of Liberal Arts at the Rochester Institute of Technology. He is also the grandson of the late Marie Cornell who was an early contributor of articles to the Crooked Lake Review.

We present the first installment of John McMath's account of the grape business around the northern end of Lake Keuka from his father's era down to the time he recounted his recollections to Frank Swann who was then Yates County Historian. Mr. McMath died in 1959. Virginia Gibbs, the present Yates County Historian, suggested reprinting this account for readers.

Robert Koch writes of three early women doctors in western New York. Professor Koch broadcasts three times a week on WXXI-FM. He presents arts and cultural interviews Tuesdays at 7:45 am and Thursdays at 7:15 am. On Saturday mornings at 9:30 he airs pieces about history. Dr. Koch was Dean of the University College at the University of Rochester from 1970 until 1982.

The series of selections from Will Gerity's journal about a two-week outing in 1870 on Keuka Lake concludes in this issue. Professor Herbert Wisbey transcribed this account from Gerity's diary owned by Jill Middleton of Horseheads. Dr. Wisbey is Professor Emeritus of American History at Elmira College and co-editor of The Mark Twain Society Bulletin.

Rufus Wilson's article about Robert Ingersoll that appeared in a March, 1890, Elmira Telegram continues in this issue.

This month's story by Ed Harris tells more of his first job, working for Fred Hines, and learning the contract excavation business.

The Donation Party, chapter 46, is our selection this month from Caroline Kirkland's book, A New Home. Mrs. Kirkland describes a social event for supporting and honoring a congregation's minister. For everyone, except perhaps the minister's family, the day-long festivity was an enjoyable get-together.

Bill Treichler provides a preview of a tour of Canandaigua buildings to be held Sunday, September 8, 1991. Three public buildings and eight houses will be open to ticket holders on that afternoon from 1 - 4.

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