Written by: Ron Nagy

Category: History Topics

Published: April 19, 2016

THE ROOF TREE—Leolyn Inn, Lily Dale, New York, July 1915

Published sporadically by Fred G. Andrews and Gertrude Nelson Andrews

Editors, Publishers and Proprietors “The Leolyn Inn”

Auntie Pierce is here, settled in her cottage for the summer, and hard at work on her quilts. She has two beautiful silk creations, which she pieced this past winter. The fortunate ones who secure them will be sure of health and happiness under their cover, for Auntie Pierce puts a goodwill thought with each stitch. She has now eighty-five years of stored commonsense vigor. Here are some of the things she said to me: “It isn’t years that makes you old: it’s havin’ back-numbered ideas about things.” “Some folks is more interested in being Methodists than in being Christians.” “A wedding ring and a batch of fruit cakes ain’t all there is to getting’ married.” “I don’t waste any time trying to locate hidden cussedness in my neighbors, I take’em as I find’em, If they ain’t what they ought to be, then they’re the losers.” “If some folks would give their tongues a rest, and keep their hearts busier we wouldn’t need any Billy Sundays.”

We’ve moved our print shop. The Leolyn Press has occupied a warm corner of our sunny kitchen all winter. It now has a cozy and delightful home of its own in the boathouse down by the landing. We can see the shy muskellunge beckoning us now from our door.

THE LEOLYN INN

The old Leolyn Inn is spic and span, and ready to smile a glad motherly “howdy” to you when you come. The many rooms are cool and dreamy, and filled with the sweet odors of June roses. Wood scented breezes softly stir the curtains. Through the windows there drifts the love songs of birds. The big old porch with its many rockers waits in happy expectancy for the visits of its homecoming friends. The lawn beyond is trying to look its greenest and smell its sweetest. Across the road is Mr. Andrews garden—a most wonderful garden, as you will discover. Out in the lake “Broad water-lilies lay tremulos.” And above it all the Old Ghost pine sways its hoary boughs in an indolent reflectiveness. The new bathhouses and bathing beach at the end of the grove are complete. A new rustic and shaded pier is built, with seats where you may sit and read, or sew, or dream. A rustic covered porch has been added to the Wigwam. It all invites you to come and “lose in a summer dream all your cares.”

THE CAMP BEAUTIFUL

Never have the grounds looked more beautiful than they do this summer under Mr. Bartlett’s supervision. He has put in many weeks of hard work, and it has been entirely a work of love. But it is being appreciated by all.

THE PROGRAM

The names of several speakers new to Lily Dale are on the program this season. But the older speakers, who give the home-coming feeling to the Dale, are of course to be heard: Dr. Warne, Mr. Colville, Mr. Grimshaw, Mr. Erwood, Mrs. Platt and others.

The coming of Dr. Frank Crane, the noted lecturer and writer, had aroused big interest. Dr. Crane is one with vision. His newspaper-syndicated sermonettes have made his influence felt in nearly every American household.

Donald Lowrie is another who bears a great human message. Himself a prisoner for ten years, he had become an active agent in prison reform. He has lived a life of tense experience. He began to write in prison, and his articles were published in all the leading periodicals. When Governor Johnson finally pardoned him, he went to work on the San Francisco Bulletin, and his revelations of prison conditions struck horror into the hearts of thousands. He is now associated with Thomas Mott Osborne in his reform work at Sing Sing.

The Calverts are coming again. Everyone will be pleased to feel once more the quaint personality of Bruce Calvert, and to again hear the beautiful songs of his talented Norwegian wife. And we have to have another glimpse into that fascinating life of Norway. Mrs. Effie Danforth McAfee comes to us with two of her famous Norway talks. Mrs. McAfee is a Quaker, a traveler, an educator, and is probably the American best versed today in Scandinavian life and literature.

Henry J. Adlard is a young Unitarian minister, but no sort of organization can bind the freedom of his thoughts. He is a passionate humanist, and like Moses, has heard the voice of God in the burning bush, and the message beats from his heart.

Miss Amelia Pfenning’s name is not new to Lily Dale Audiences, but this is the first time it has been scheduled on our program.

Then we are to have a Peace Day, Sunday August 22^nd, when Mrs. Gertrude Nelson Andrews will be the speaker.

Again we have the rollicking Circus Day, under the direction of Mrs. Marie Nelson Lee. That is the day when none of us feels more than ten years old.

There will be the usual dances, entertainments and class work. It all promises much of interest.

FOR THE CHILDREN

Big plans are being made for the children this season. Mrs. Cadwallader is shipping from Chicago all kinds of equipment for the playground and is coming early to look after the work. Miss Musette Akin, who had charge of the Lyceum, has spent much thought and time in arranging the summer’s work. She has secured a most competent staff of helpers. Miss Maxine Mosher, a graduate from the Michigan State Normal School, will be the chief of staff under Miss Akin. Miss Mosher is an expert kindergartner, and has passed a civil service examination in physical culture and playground work. Her sister, Miss Lucile, a graduate in domestic science will be another helper. Miss Akin had high ideals for the Lyceum. The children will have a profitable as well as a happy season.

WOMAN’S DAY

When the Puritans first came to these shores they made the way to heaven so narrow that only a tightrope performer could walk it. That is not our heaven idea in Lily Dale. The road to our heaven—and we don’t claim any special privilege on heaven—in a broad-gage democratic highway. What is more, it is broad enough for the equality of men and women, for them to travel side by side, and work out the big problems together. We emphasize these beliefs on Woman’s Day.

More than usual interest is centered in Woman’s Day this year. It comes on August 18, right in the final whirl of the New York State campaign for Woman Suffrage. Dr. Anna Howard Shaw will be the speaker for the day. She cancels other engagements to be with us. Other well known women will also be heard. For twenty-four hours Lily Dale will be made the tense, gripping center of the Eighth Campaign District. It will be a day to long remember. Big features are being planned. Automobile parties of women are coming from all over the western section of the state. All Lily Dalights who have cottages are requested to bring with them everything in the way of Suffrage decoration they can find.

CAMP PROGRAM 1915

Chairman—John T. Lillie

Platform Speakers: Dr. George B. Warne, Mrs. Mary Webb Baker, Mrs. M.E. Clark Kelsey, W.J. Colville, Wellman C. Whitney, Hiram R. Savage, Mrs. Tillie U. Reynolds, Rev. Henry J. Adlard, Mrs. H.B. Rymer, Bruce Calvert, Frederic A. Wiggin, Mrs. Elizabeth Harlow Goetz, Miss Amalia F. Pfenning, Hon. Egbert E. Woodbury, Mrs. Zaida Brown Kates, Hon. Frank H. Pope, Thomas Grimshaw, Mrs. M.E. Cadwaller, George W. Kates, Mr. Donald Lowrie, Mrs. Marie Nelson Lee, Dr. C.A. Burgess, Mrs. D.A. Morrill, Mrs. Ida Drury Platt, Dr. Frank Crane, Joseph Slater, Dell A. Herrich, Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, Will V. Nicum, Gertrude Nelson Andrews, Will J. Erwood, Mrs. Effie Danford McAfee, Rev. W.J. Price,

Classes: W.J. Colville, Thomas Grimshaw, Will Erwood, Frederic Wiggin, Will V. Nicum

Message Bearers: Mrs. M.E. Clark Kelsey, Wellman C. Whitney, Mrs. H.B. Rymer, Frederic A. Wiggin, Mrs. Zadia Brown Kates, Mrs. D.A. Morrill, Mrs. Dell A. Herrick, Mrs. Anna S. Ritchie

Board of Directors: Ester C. Humphrey—President, H. W. Richardson—Vice—President, Dr. George B. Warne—Treasurer, Mr. J.W. Strearns, Mr. Jean Reed, Mrs. Dorothy W. Henderson, Mr. B.F. Bartlett, Appointed Secretary—Mrs. Carrie Reed

Season ticket $5, Weekday and Sunday 25 cents

A double lawn tennis court has been added to the outdoor sports for the young folks.

Dances twice a week on Wednesday and Saturday.

Healing Service: Dr. C.A. Burgess of Chicago—Terms $1.50 a week, and 25 cents a treatment. Mrs. Maytie E. Lane—Information in regard to her terms and hours can be obtained at her cottage on Cleveland Ave.

Saturday July 31, Reunion of Chautauqua County Lawyers, Auspices of Jamestown Bar Association meeting in Auditorium at three P.M., Chairman Ernest Cawcroft, President Jamestown Bar Association, Speaker—Hon. Egburt E. Woodbury—Attorney General of the State of New York.

Mrs. Shuler of Buffalo will hold a convention August 17^th of the Leaders and Captains of the Suffrage Party of the Eighth District of New York State. Miss Harriett May Miles ex-president of the Woman’s Suffrage Association of New York State will be with us for the convention and Woman’s Day.

The Citizens Club, primarily composed of residents of Lily Dale, was organized to beautify the grounds, with Mrs. B.F. Bartlett as President.

Miss Gertrude Lee will conduct a school of Social and Folk dancing.

Huntington and Allen—Real Estate

Mr. William Sickner—Official Photographer

Conley D. Harris—Auto Passenger Service

Miss Musette Akin—Entertainment

Mrs. Warren Richards—Impersonations

The Fox Cottage, the birthplace of Modern Spiritualism, was purchased by Mr. B.F. Bartlett and moved to Lily Dale as a matter of preservation and a memorial to Spiritualism and the Fox Sisters. [Tragically the Fox Cottage burned down September 1955.]