The following is an excerpt from a letter written by Benjamin G. Green of Otto to his son Stephen in 1865. Compare this contemporary account to theFloyd Finch story recounted nearly 100 years later:

Otto Catt. Co. N.Y. May 10/ 65

Dear Son:

… There is no working Parties on our R. Road now They have stopped work for a while Think they will go at work on R. Road Soon again … The Paddies had quite a Row here last week [Cattaraugus County Sheriff] William Cooper came to Waverly to levy on the goods in the R. Road Store alsoe the money in their Safe he Put the money in the Safe and The Irish men made a rush on him and Stabed him twice & Took the Safe & money & two of the clerks up North on R. Road at Austin Morris & made the clerks Pay the money to them for their Labour. They had not been paid in Some Time & They wanted the money…

Yours Truly

B.G. Green

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