Guilford Centre - About 1890

Guilford Centre - About 1890

Chenango Telegraph

Messes Editors:

It may be necessary for me to state that there is such a place as Guilford Centre, a real, live place, which but few in the county [Chenango Co., NY] have heard anything about for the last forty years.  But in common with all the "Rip Van Winckles" on these hills and in these valleys, it has been awakened to a new life by the unearthly screams of the Locomotive.  Fifty or sixty years ago, Guilford Centre was a place as much importance as any in the county; and the old Academy building stands today as one sad monument of its former glory.  The day of the old jolting stage coach has forever passed away, and the day of the proud iron horse has come, and with the new order of things this little place is not to be despised in the future.

 

The whole place speaks already of improvement as the order of the day, old buildings and fences everywhere, have been so changed, as not to be recognized as their former selves.  Our new depot which the R.R. Company is about to complete, is the finest and largest depot between Norwich and Sidney.  Guilford Centre is jubilant over their success in securing such an accommodation on the midland and which nature has pointed out, as a central place of business for the whole town.

 

Thanks to a few of our citizens who liberally and cheerfully parted with their green backs, as well as to the officers of the Midland for this noble building which shall for evermore give life and importance to the place.

 

The select school in this place closed last Friday evening with a grand celebration held in the 1st Cong. Church, which was crowded to its utmost capacity.  Mr. S.P. Fields is to be congratulated on his admirable success in teaching, and his unsurpassed skill in rightly managing an exhibition.  His school the last term numbered about forty scholars, some of whom were from Mount Upton, Bainbridge, Yaleville and Fayette.  Prizes were offered to the best scholars in Arithmetic, Algebra and Writing.  And also to the best speaker among the gentleman and the best reader among the ladies.  At the exhibition Rev. J.L. Jones was appointed a committee.  Sixteen appeared on the stage and faithfully competed for the prizes. All did well;  there was no failure on the part of any, not even the least hesitation, and the speaking and reading of that eve would have been an honor to any academy or seminary in the country.  The prizes were awarded according to the decision of the committee.   The charades and other performances of the evening, not forgetting the comic oration by General Request, were all capital.  And the well behaved crowd at the late hour separated apparently well satisfied with themselves and with everybody else.

 

But my dear Telegraph, I dare not tell the half about Guilford Gentre nor praise the place and the people as the manner of some, for to tell the truth, however humiliating, we are, of all people, the most quiet, and satisfied, and modest.

 

A Citizen