Wellsville Historical Society

The Wellsville Historical Society held their regular monthly meeting this past Tuesday evening at the River Museum. President Robert “Brassy” Beresford presided. Recording Secretary Joan Davidson read the minutes of the October meeting. The Treasurer's Report was given by Pat Lawrence. Financial Secretary Jim Lawrence reported he received 2011 dues from four additional members.

Trustee Tom Davidson reported River Museum will be receiving a baby bed made of walnut wood from Toronto resident Mary Belcher. The bed was originally in the Whittacre House, which use to be in the 4th St. Square. It was handed down through the Cartwright family.

Beresford advised the museum was gifted with the original charter of the first Afro-American VFW Post in the state of Ohio. The post was located at 9th & Wood Street in Wellsville. The charter and other historical documents was given by Wanda Boggs Coopier, the daughter of the late Melvin Boggs. Boggs was instrumental in the organization of that VFW Post and one of the founding members of Wellsville's Memorial Council.

Davidson also announced that there will be a work party hosted by the Trustees under the direction of Bonny Beresford on Monday, December 6, to prepare for the annual Christmas Party. Mrs. Beresford announced that 33 reservations have been received so far for the Christmas Party.

A second reading of the pending by-law changes was read by Committee Chairman Jeff Weekley. Changes will increase the yearly dues from $5 to $10. Also, the number of trustees will be reduced from seven to five. Section VIII will be changed to read that the Society will not accept requests to return donated articles. Once donated, the items become the sole possession of the Society. Should the Society decide to relinquish a donation every attempt will be made to contact the original donor for the right to reclaim the donation. Also added was that donations are tax deductible but the declared value of any donation is the responsibility of the donor. Any items not in keeping with the general philosophy of the Historical Society may be put to good use such as fund raising.

Brassy Beresford reported that work has been completed to repair the walk to the caboose using five tons of slag to level off the sink hole on the front side. Hand rails to both ramps have been replace with a composite decking material and the rest of the wood work has been treated with a clear wood finish.

Under Sickness & Distress it was noted that member Jane Reese is now home. Best wishes for a speedy recovery was expressed by all.

Beresford also reported that he has been contacted by Memorial Council VP Don Brown in regards to the Cuppy Cemetery in Yellow Creek Twp. The old cemetery dates back to the 1800s and is located on land that the proposed Baard Energy plant will be located. There was concern as to what would happen to the cemetery once construction began. Beresford noted that if necessary the graves will be relocated to a required “green area” near its present location. At the recent Chamber of Commerce dinner Mr. John Baardson, CEO of Baard Energy, advised us that currently they are planning to work around the old grave yard leaving it undisturbed. If necessary to relocate they will bring in experts to locate each grave to insure the dignity of the deceased. New headstones will replace ones no longer readable where identities can be determined. That grave yard is the final resting place of some Civil War veterans or even earlier dated grave sites.

Officers for 2011 will be President: Robert Beresford, VP Bonny Beresford, Recording Secretary: Joan Davidson, Corresponding Secretary: Carol Smith, Treasurer: Pat Lawrence, Financial Secretary: Jim Lawrence and Parliamentarian: Walter Hanlon. New Trustees will be Robert Lloyd & Mike Lynn. Trustees Tom Davidson, Jim Lawrence & Jeff Weekley are serving unexpired terms.

Donations to the River Museum in the past month was a copy of a picture of the posse formed in the area to track down Pretty Boy Floyd in 1934. It was received from Albert “Skip” Beech (WHS Class of '42) from Florida. Mary A. Heddleson from Adamstown, MD, sent a copy of a chapter out of a book entitled Loyal Hearts – History of Civil War K-9s which is about the 104th Ohio Volunteers. That company of volunteers was made up with mostly men from Wellsville. Beresford remarked that his grandfather was a member of the 104th.

Harriet “Honey” Winland sent several items that were from her mother's estate. Windland's mother was Edna Migliore and the items included several crochet items from clothing to table dollies. There were many lady's garments made of silk and lace, hand fans and even a parasol as shown above. Other items included an Algebra Problems & Solutions book dated from 1872 and copy of the American Constitution that was compliments of the MacLean Funeral Home.

The luncheon was provided by Pam Smith & Bonny Beresford. Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 17, 2011, weather permitting.

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