Talk:Brewerton, New York

History Section
I think I might be making a mess of the history section, here, trying to revert edits. The problem is I see no citable source for most of the later stuff in this section. I can't work out what is fact and what is fiction. I see additions made by an IP that has made some otherwise questionable edits, so treat them with some degree of skepticism - apologies if what I am doing is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. -- Alucard (Dr.) | Talk 15:16, 30 May 2007 (UTC)

OK, this is starting to look more and more like made-up stuff, so I am removing it from the page and archiving it here. if ANYONE can come up with a citable source for any of this, then we can add it back into the article. If not, then it will stay here...

QUOTED TEXT STARTS In the decades leading up to the Revolutionary War, a group of British Loyalists settled on the southern shore of the Oneida River, opposite of Fort Brewerton. During this time, a feud developed between the agrarian and pluralistic Loyalists and the opportunistic fur traders that frequently stayed in the fort. The anit-British tensions that spread throughout the colonies exacerbated these feelings. Fearing that fur traders were sympathetic to the impending revolution, the Loyalists began constructing their own fort directly across the river from Fort Brewerton (which they also called Fort Brewerton). Though common in name, the original Fort Brewerton was superior in every other respect, as the newer fort didn't include such common amenities as windows and lockable doors. Clearly not content with their fort for protection, a small group, led by Brutus Shantz (a former barrister) and Theodore Leone (a retired admiral from the Royal navy), crossed the river in an attempt to catch the fur-trappers off guard and seize their encampment. Surrounding Fort Brewerton in the early morning, the loyalists opened fire and almost overwhelmed the traders within the fort. However, a small band of traders returning from a trip in western New York heard the ruckus and came to the aid of their fellow beaver trappers. This group, which included such stalwarts of Brewerton history like Kyle Santimaw, George Walker and Errant Fish, quickly subdued the loyalist insurgency and drove them back across the Oneida River. The next day, Jesus Neighbors led a counter-attack and overwhelmed the loyalists. The field on which this second skirmish took place is commemorated with a merry-go-round that exists to this day in Oneida Shores Park.

This rivalry was rekindled during the Revolutionary War. As a large battalion of the Continental Army was stationed in Eastern New York (near Albany), the British army deployed a battalion of their own to attack from the West. This regiment sailed up the St. Lawrence seaway with the intention of accessing the Oneida river and establishing a beachhead on the eastern shore of Oneida Lake. From here they would have marched due East and engaged with the insurgent forces. However, when rumors of a large British fleet sailing toward Oneida Lake reached Brewerton, both loyalists and revolutionaries sprung into action. Those sympathetic with the rebellion formed a militia with hopes of firing upon the boats before they left the narrow river and entered the larger Lake. Loyalists, for years subdued by the humiliation of defeat, formed a militia of their own to ensure that the British reached their destination. As the Oneida River is narrow at its mount on Oneida Lake, both sides quickly caught wind of what the other was doing, and a battle broke out with each side firing from opposite sides of the river. Errant Fish, the hero from the earlier skirmish, led a band of sympathizers across the river in an attempt to storm up the embankments and take the loyalists by shear force. However, Bartholomul Shantz, son of Brutus, held off the attack and felled the mighty Fish. During the battle, a British scout boat sailing ahead of the armada stumbled into the fray. The boat was caught in the cross-fire and the lieutenant on board was shot by Robert Neighbors, son of Jesus. After running aground, the others in the scout boat returned to inform the encroaching British Fleet of the skirmish. The flotilla turned around and anchored in Lake Ontario until the end of the skirmish was confirmed. However, new orders arrived before confirmation was received, and the fleet ventured elsewhere. The skirmish in Brewerton did end, but not with a clear victor. Wood from the British scout boat was used in the construction of a bridge connecting the two sides of the Onieda River. This initial bridge was shortlived, as Danny Santimaw, a hopeful Continental Army recruit and son of Kyle, burnt the bridge down a month after it was constructed. He did not realize that the bridge was built by sympathizers, who thus blocked his application into the Continental Army.

Brewerton, in contrast to other fishing villages in the area, became a strong center for traveling gypsies who had decided to settle in the carp-abundant area. One of the most noted gypsies was Melvin Hurrmin, also known as 'Kermit the Hermit' due to his reclusive nature. Melvin's claim to fame came was his 7 wheeled bicycle, commonly known as a Septicle. The septicle had 2 wheels in the front and back, and 3 in the middle. Though shortlived in its popularity, it was a classic example of the marvelous inventions at the turn of the century. Melvin's septicle was hand-furnished by his uncle, Harley Hurrmin, a local blacksmith who specialized in bicycles with more than two wheels. Sometime in the summer of 1897, as Melvin road his septicle through the middle of town, he was confronted by two of Central New York's most notorious criminals, Rod Coldbecker and Crisp Schneider. Rod and Crisp had previously been convicted of embezzlement, bank robbery, and arson, and were currently wanted for the improper use of a farm animal. William Seward proclaimed, whose nephew represented them in trial on one occasion, referred to them as "two rude dudes". The fact that Crisp Schneider was a married man has almost to history, were it not for Hickory Kholbecker's award winning PBS special on the subject. Rod and Crisp, intent on evading the authorities, attempted to steal Melvin's septicle. According to several eye-witnesses, prominent among them Hector Cabbage and Bruce Purse, Melvin shouted "Not my bike!" and cast a sort of webbed net (also known as a webbon) and ensared Rob. Stunned, Crisp was not able to get away before Melvin cast a webbon on him as well. Webbons were used for catching fish, made from the fibered material of the willow tree. Webbons were extra sticky and almost near impossible to escape from. So, as the two struggled, Melvin took some fishing twine and quickly bound the two's feet together and then affixed their tied feet to a large oak tree. Melvin then road his Septicle to Sham's Saloon, where he contacted the local figure of authority, Earn Fish, son of Errant. Earn deputized Melvin, and together they rode Melvin's septicle to retrieve and arrest the two vile crooks. Thereafter, Melvin was known as 'Tab the Nabber', and 'Kermit the Hermit' faded from history. Melvin was given a job in local law enforcement shortly thereafter. Melvin Hurrmin created a safer environment for all inhabitants of Brewerton, which attracted even more gypsies, creating the livelihood that still lives on today within the hamlet of Brewerton. QUOTED TEXT ENDS Alucard (Dr.) | Talk 19:00, 1 June 2007 (UTC)

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