G R O W I N G
G O W A N D A

In the writing of this book-the first history of Gowanda to be told in story form the publishers are indebted to a great many individuals who helped provide the necessary source records. The location of Gowanda, astride the county line of Cattaraugus and Erie counties, naturally complicates the procurement of historical data as it has been necessary to consult and reconcile the records of both counties. The work was further complicated by the fact that the village records were destroyed in the Gowanda fire of 1856.

Special acknowledgment is made of the indefatigable researches of the village historian, Clara Davis Kirby, who collaborated in the authorship from the inception to the completion of the manuscript. The study of old documents, early newspapers and books was also facilitated by source material supplied by Eber Russell and Everett Burmaster.

Other source and reference books referred to in the compilation of this history included ''An Analytical History of the Seneca Indians'' by Arthur . arker; ''The History of the Original Town f oncord'' by Erasmus Briggs;·'History of attaraugus County'' published by L. H. Everts in 1879; History of Dayton'' by Charles J. chutts; "Historical Gazetteer of Cattaraugus County'' by the Hon. illiam H. Stuart; ''Historical ketch of Gowanda" by I. R. Leonard and the papers of S. Clark Munger.