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Wellsville; Twelve years
of changes. Twelve years ago this name was not known to us. The town now laid out in so many lots was only a cornfield, surrounded by a high hedge, and the tillers of the soil were "Father and Mother" Rhiverson. For miles around the land lay open. The Dering farm, Dick Pierson, John Reed and G. Hovey's were the only ones then improved on the northwest. North we then found the Streeter place, where Mr. Thos. Reighley now lives, and just across the road Mr. Pettibone. East was Mrs. Shoff's and Wadsworth's. South and southwest were Al. Sloan's. Mr. Carter's and J. Poole- now Dave Lewis while Deane's joins on the west. Now we have some idea of the boundary of our town site. Soon after the railroad was laid out the Crater farm- now the $18,000 property- was taken up. Then C. McLain came, J. Bruner, E. E. Wilkins and others. The host that soon began to pour in cannot be numerated. All thought Wellsville a promising point, as she has proved herself to be. Our first merchant, H. N. Brockway, who had been holding forth in a log cabin at Black Jack, erected the store building he now has and brought down his effects. Dr. Wellman, I believe, built the Pindell drug store and the house where John Wilkins now is. Our town, then only a trading point, has now grown until it can be seen from any of our hill-tops for miles, and once seen is admired by all. Its lofty church spires, our grand two-story school house and elevator show enterprising people are at work in this corner of our county. What town in Franklin, besides our county seat, can boast of two large town halls, besides a large hall furnished and owned by the I.O.O.F. Our town is nicely laid out, and Main street is occupied by the business firms like all good-sized places. It was at a dead stand until within the past few years our worthy and efficient agent, Mr. E. E. Wilkins, brought out Wellsville's future from the dark days of grasshoppers and drouth, whose name had been buried as deep as the ruins of Pompeii. If one has no idea of the business and wealth of our little village, let him spend one Saturday here, and see the multitude coming in, not only from our county, but those adjoining us. But I am taking too much of your time, Mr. Editor, and will only invite our readers to inspect the aforesaid city. The News is one of our latest acquisitions. We are proud of it. May it always be counted among one of the first in our county. BILLIE TAYLOR. |
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