Wells College - Cardinal Yearbook (Aurora, NY)

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wrapped in vagueness and mystery. For those who prefer fact, however, here is a short story of Indian John which purports to be true. He was an unworthy representative of the noble tribe of the Delawares, sullen, gloomy and a slave to the fear of witchcraft. Une day he was out hunting in the neighborhood of Seneca Falls with a man named Phadoe. The latter brought down game with much success, but luck was against Indian John, who fell into a great rage, supposing that Phadoe had bewitched his game. On his return to the village the Indian plotted the death of his com- panion, but through mistake shot Ezekiel Crane, a white settler. The Delaware was captured with difliculty and tried by Judge Ambrose Spenser in Aurora, for Aurora was then the county seat. The court was held in an upper room of the irst tavern in Aurora, kept by Joshua Patrick. This building, a dingy frame structure with high steps and gingerbread work about the roof, is standing to-day opposite the Catholic church. Here it was that Indian John was condemned to be hung. I-Ie asked to be shot like a brave, with his rifle in his hand, but his petition was refused, and he met the death of a common criminal with the in- difference and stolidity of his race. I-Ie carried his pipes and tobacco to the scaffold saying that he wished to smoke the 4' pipe of peacei' with Mr. Crane in the world of spirits. It was the opinion of Fred, who was for many years janitor of the college, that the spirit of Indian John had not failed to walk about the grounds every night since the time of the Delawareis execution. None of us have ever seen this unearthly apparition, but we are contented with the thought that our Alma Mater is honored by the presence of a real ghost. However delightful our recollections of Aurora village may be, whatever charm its associations may have for us, it is true that ffthroughout our future lives, it will be f'Wells, dear Wells, o'er all forever. With the mention of our college, then, it is fitting that this sketch should close. EDITH L. ISHAM 1902. 32

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would be grouped about it to thaw out. Salem Town, an early principal of the academy, used to heat brands and place them under the desks, for the children to warm their feet upon. For this kindness he atoned, however, by writing a 4' Speller and Definer,', over whose poly-syllabled words many a youngster toiled laboriously. Yet no doubt the children were very fond of Mr. Town. It is said that he was not only respected but loved by everyone. It is the marble physiognomy of this worthy man, surrounded by its ponderous black-walnut frame, that we have the privilege of gazing upon each Sunday morning in the Pres- byterian church. ' A - The academy was the first school built in the United States, west of New York. It had an established reputationiin the old times, but it was under Salem Town that it became really famous. Among the men of note educated there may be mentioned Presi- dent Fillmore and Governor Seward. Somewhat later than the academy, the Quaker school of Miss Maryat was founded on the street east of the main street of Aurora, and parallel to it. Here it was that Polly and Peggy Ledyard Wrote copies and did sums. Madame Smith, whose fam- ily lived in Cazenovia, went as a boarder to Miss Maryat's, and a very homesick little girl she was. There is a story of how she used to sit by her window, gazing toward her own village, and while the tears streamed down her blue-checked apron, wished, oh so earnestly, that she had never come to that horrid Aurora. Of the late history of this school it is impossible to learn any- thing except that on the departure, deposition, or demise of the Quaker lady, it was kept for a time by one Miss Boucher. Noth- ing is left of the building to-day. . And now, of course, we come to Wells. As we have all listened to Founderis Day addresses it is not necessary in this sketch to discuss the life of Henry Wells. His connection with Aurora dates from the time when, as a young man, he ff boatedw grain on Cayuga Lake. After he had established himself well in busi- ness he bought a portion of the Morgan farm and built a house for himself upon it, and in 1866 he laid the corner-stone of his great gift to young women- Wells Seminary, later 'Wells College. There is only one story of the old times that is connected with the college grounds, so far as I can learn. In the ravine south of the basket-ball court Indian John was hung for the murder of a white man, away back in 1804. It is hard to obtain a definite account of this event, and, indeed, it is rather pleasant to have it 31

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