The Sunflower – January 1, 1901

A long expected baptism of fire finally arrived.  Friday morning December 28, at about 4:30 the people were awakened by hearing gunshots and a woman screaming and rushed to find the air lurid with the light of a fire.

When the residents arrived on the scene, the fire had so much of a start that it was useless to think of saving either of the cottages which were then afire and what goods were in the lower part were hastily removed and efforts made to prevent the further spread of the flames.  C. B. Turner immediately placed two horses at the disposal of the people and one mounted by Clayton McCarthy went in one direction while another ridden by J. F. Witherall went over by Cassadaga and around Burnham giving the alarm that “Lily Dale was burning.

News spreads fast

The news spread like wildfire and teams were hastily hitched and in an incredibly short space of time, they poured into the gates loaded with men.  By this time three cottages were burning fiercely and the prospects of saving any of the center of camp looked exceedingly dubious.  With the arrival of assistance four squads of workers were arranged.  One party went to work on the Scheu cottage on the corner of First Avenue and Cleveland, one on the cottage at the rear of the burning ones, one on the cottages across the street from the fire and the fourth decided to tear down a cottage and thus stop the flames spreading towards the East.

All worked with a will.  A bucket brigade was organized, the women pumping water and carrying it equally as well as the men.  Carpets, comforters and everything that would hold water was placed over the exposed portions of the buildings and while some carried water, others stood on the roofs and verandahs and kept the cloths wet, thus stopping the spread of the flames.  Two teams were procured and holes were cut into the Wadsworth cottage (#12 1st), log chains attached and soon the building was drawn to one side partly torn down and snow shoveled upon the side toward the fire.  Even after this, it caught fire and had to be extinguished with snow and water.

From one home to another Click here to read more of Baptism By Fire

This book is a condensed history that also includes personal commentary concerning the largest spiritualist community in the world.

I first compiled the history by searching thru the notes and writings of our past historian Joyce LaJudice. Joyce labored for almost thirty years collecting camp programs, tax records, water bills, playbills and saving news articles.

Then spent thousands of hours at the local library researching thru microfiche for any mention in catalogued news articles for Cassadaga Lake Free Association, City of Light or Lily Dale. Joyce diligently searched for any mention of an individual or event from the past then cataloged the event that was significant to the continuous history of this religious association.

This book is not only about the early history of Lily Dale but it is also about the past residents, guests and the pioneers–exceptional people of Lily Dale who I call “The Spirits Of Lily Dale”.

Spring 2010 release date by Galde Press Lakeville, MN