Western New York Heritage Magazine

In December of 1805 a Quaker Englishman, who was traveling through the then wilderness of Western New York on his way to visit Niagara Falls, was the guest of Joseph Ellicott in his Batavia, NY, home. After partaking of a generous venison supper the guest, Robert Sutcliff, was shown to "a good room" to sleep. As related by Sutcliff in his Travels in Some Parts of North America in the center of that room stood "one of the most beautiful and curious clocks" he had ever seen. The contrast between the sophistication of the clock and the wilderness of the region was ot lost on the observer.

The monumental mahogany-cased clock, which stood over nine feet tall, was designed to be positioned in the middle of a room. It had four equally finished sides, with engaged fluted columns on plinths on each edge of the shaft supporting the clock lantern. Various referred to as "the musical clock" or "the astronomical clock," in addition to its calendar/time dial, it has an "orrery" face showing the relative positions of the planets of the solar system and a third face that listed twenty-four popular tunes that it played - a different one for each hour of the day. The fourth finihshed face provided a window through which the whole complex mechanism was displayed.

To read more of John H. Conlin's story, see page 30 of the Winter 2005 Heritage Magazine. Subscribe now!

Reclaiming the North Pole

More than 50 years ago, historian Frederick J. Pohl summarized what may have been the most accurate, if poignant, commentary on the life and works of a virtually forgotten American explorer: "...his was the saddest case of its kind in history. His tragedy paralleled that of Columbus. He was rejected, despised, imprisoned and neglected. Columbus turned to divine support;Dr. Cook relied on the innate sense of justice in men."

Frederick Albert Cook, a wandering physician, was perhaps the most controversial field explorer of the 20th century. He spent much of the last decade o fhis tortured and troubled life in the leafy suburbs of East Aurora and Amherst, during a time when a serious examination of his claims was first being advanced.

When he died on August 4, 1940, the world was still reeling with the success of the Nazi conquest of western Europe, but it paused to remember the white-haired adventurer who had explored both ends of the earth and who went to his death still claiming the first arrival at the geographical North Pole, the last great prize of exploration and discovery.

To read the rest of Russell W. Gibbons' story, see page 40 in the Winter 2005 Heritage Magazine. Subscribe now!

Buffalo's Jewish Enterprise

Merchantile Traditions Recalled in Morrison Steel, the Sample Shop, Lippes Bakery, Dixie Hats and More.

In celebration of the 350th anniversary of Jews in America, we take a look back at some familiar names in local Jewish business history. These businesses are direct descendants of the roles that Jewish merchants have filled in society since the Middle Ages.

...It was in Europe that Jews learned the entrepreneurial skills that would serve them so well in America. Factory workers became factory owners. New goods and services were needed to fuel the new American reality. People found niche businesses. In big cities there were more people; more goods and services were needed.

And so Jews came to America. The history is familiar. Jewish merchants started with packs on their backs, selling notions, pots and pans, knives, or ladies "unmentionables." The next step in this evolution was the stall or pushcart. Eventually, Jews opened stores. Small neighborhood stores grew into major department stores. Every town had a "Jew store," usually dry goods, but often a jewelry store or a men's haberdashery.

To read more of Jane Vogel Fischman's story, see page 50 of the Winter 2005 Heritage Magazine. Subscribe now!

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