Hancock [Delaware Co., NY], Aug. 20: An auctioneer's hammer punctuated another chapter today in Delaware county's tragic legend of a frustrated Civil War romance. As the hammer sounded a staccato requiem for the century-old American House in this village, the story of Fannie M. Read--her broken love for a dashing lieutenant and her life afterwards as a recluse in the old hotel--passed once more from lip to lip among residents. First of the furnishings that have been kept intact in the old structure for more than 70 years went on the auction block at 10 o'clock this morning. Hundreds of bargain hunters after antiques filled village streets and jammed around the auction tent in front of the old hotel. Early reports were that contests were going rapidly--some of them at high bids.
For 70 faithful years Miss Read remained in the old hotel, most of the time alone, awaiting the return of her soldier lover. She died six years ago. A girl in her teens, Miss Read came out of the wooded area of Hancock township to dwell in the American House, first named the Chehocton Plank Road and Railroad House. In 1860, when the popular bar room of the hotel was scene of heated debates in that pre-war period, and the old hotel, most spacious of all public buildings in that area of the Southern Tier, was a popular gathering place for all and sundry, Fannie grew to young womanhood. In the midst of semi-pioneer Hancock in that day Fannie Read, laughing, bright-eyed daughter of Scotch-Irish pioneer ancestors, was the belle of the village. She was an accomplished musician. Her popularity was unexcelled. She sang well. Then came the Civil War. A regiment of New York infantry camped on the Flats, near Hancock. Staff officers were at the American Hotel. With a dashing officer of the regiment it is related, Miss Fannie fell deeply in love. Legend names the officer as John Bellows. Members of the family say that was not his real name. They decline to reveal it. Riley Read, her father, frowned upon the proposed match. Bellows, he said, was too old. Secret trysts followed. Father Read discovered them and in a rage he ordered Bellows from the hotel, never to return. Bellows obeyed. Fannie heart-broken, locked herself in her room. Days grew into weeks, weeks into months, then long years. But Fannie had vowed never to leave the old hotel until her lover returned. At night a light was kept burning. But neither time nor faith returned John Bellows to the arms of Fannie Read. The affair cast a spell over the old hotel. Crowds no longer cared to linger. Business became bad, then failed. Eventually, Riley Read forsook the hostelry. But Fannie stayed. Throughout those lonely years Fannie Read had her meals carried in by a tight-lipped, trustworthy maid from a nearby hotel. She read much, kept abreast of the times. Only three times did she leave the old hotel--twice to attend funerals of relatives, once when the old structure was on fire. [LMD notation: 1938]
For 70 faithful years Miss Read remained in the old hotel, most of the time alone, awaiting the return of her soldier lover. She died six years ago. A girl in her teens, Miss Read came out of the wooded area of Hancock township to dwell in the American House, first named the Chehocton Plank Road and Railroad House. In 1860, when the popular bar room of the hotel was scene of heated debates in that pre-war period, and the old hotel, most spacious of all public buildings in that area of the Southern Tier, was a popular gathering place for all and sundry, Fannie grew to young womanhood. In the midst of semi-pioneer Hancock in that day Fannie Read, laughing, bright-eyed daughter of Scotch-Irish pioneer ancestors, was the belle of the village. She was an accomplished musician. Her popularity was unexcelled. She sang well. Then came the Civil War. A regiment of New York infantry camped on the Flats, near Hancock. Staff officers were at the American Hotel. With a dashing officer of the regiment it is related, Miss Fannie fell deeply in love. Legend names the officer as John Bellows. Members of the family say that was not his real name. They decline to reveal it. Riley Read, her father, frowned upon the proposed match. Bellows, he said, was too old. Secret trysts followed. Father Read discovered them and in a rage he ordered Bellows from the hotel, never to return. Bellows obeyed. Fannie heart-broken, locked herself in her room. Days grew into weeks, weeks into months, then long years. But Fannie had vowed never to leave the old hotel until her lover returned. At night a light was kept burning. But neither time nor faith returned John Bellows to the arms of Fannie Read. The affair cast a spell over the old hotel. Crowds no longer cared to linger. Business became bad, then failed. Eventually, Riley Read forsook the hostelry. But Fannie stayed. Throughout those lonely years Fannie Read had her meals carried in by a tight-lipped, trustworthy maid from a nearby hotel. She read much, kept abreast of the times. Only three times did she leave the old hotel--twice to attend funerals of relatives, once when the old structure was on fire. [LMD notation: 1938]
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