CITY OF SALAMANCA
Old-time rides are a bicentennial hit
SALAMANCA — Crowds lined city streets Wednesday as they have across Cattaraugus County to welcome the county’s Bicentennial Wagon Train and Stage Coach Run.
The first horse and rider crossed under the Centennial Citizen’s Arch on Main Street at 3:59
p. m., followed by a stagecoach and about 20 horse-drawn covered wagons. Applause and cheers inspired the horses to step a little faster toward the wagon train’s overnight campgrounds on the historic former Erie Railroad grounds.
A party atmosphere prevailed throughout the evening at the campgrounds and nearby Salamanca Rail Museum, where a Dixieland band played and dozens of people dined at outside tables with foods offered by local clubs and Seneca vendors.
A medley of speakers preceded the wagon train’s arrival. Mayor Jeffrey Pond presented a specially crafted key to the city to County Legislature Chairman Crystal Abers, R-South Dayton. The key will be placed in a county time capsule to be opened at the next celebration in 2108.
The passing of the key is symbolic of a silver key crafted in 1908 by Buck Silver Co. of Salamanca placed in a county vault and found earlier this year.
Seneca Nation of Indians President Maurice John Sr. spoke about working as a community together in the future as “the Senecas are now creating jobs and working with professionalism as never before.” John hurried off to join the wagon train arriving later atop the stage coach.
The Rev. Michael Lonto, pastor of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, served as emcee and told of Moses Taylor, a Seneca of the Hawk Clan. He hitched his oxen to a wagon in 1908 and traveled the county promoting the centennial held Aug. 4-6, 1908, in Salamanca.
The idea of the present-day wagon train grew from Taylor’s promotion.
Lonto introduced Taylor’s descendents, all of whom reside on the Seneca’s Allegany Territory, Sandra Maybee, Bonnie Taylor and Don Taylor.
Lonto also gave special recognition to Doris Feinberg, retired teacher and sister of the late Ray Evans, an award-winning songwriter for whom the Main Street theater is named.
The Citizen’s Arch was turned over to the city by former Mayor Ronald J. Yehl, who coordinated volunteers to erect the 28-foot arch replicating the 1908 arch that was adorned with 100 lights and called “a marvel of its time.”
The arch will remain in place until Sept. 28 for the Bicentennial Celebration parade during the city’s Falling Leaves Festival.
Also on Wednesday, Mayor Pond, President John, State Sen. Catharine Young, R-Olean; Assemblyman Joseph M. Giglio, R-Gowanda; Salamanca School Superintendent
J. Douglas Hay and representatives of the state Department of Transportation gathered at 5 p. m. at the Route 353 bridge on Center Street to reopen the span.
Closed since Jan. 17, the bridge is now open to one lane of traffic after L. C. Whitford Co. of Wellsville made remedial repairs. The bridge is due for replacement in two years.
