In November, Jillian Markham O’Hara presented “The Little Voices by Lee Wasmuth: Tug Hill’s Forgotten Author” with the aid of the NYS Tug Hill Commission via Zoom. Shedding light on the serialized novel that appeared in the Watertown Daily Times nearly a hundred years ago and providing insight into the life of her great-uncle, O’Hara peeled back the curtain on a bit of lost Tug Hill history.
Without spoiling the novel’s ending, O’Hara invited attendees to the historic logging settlement of Page, in the town of West Turin, Lewis County, NY, both as it was portrayed in the novel and through primary sources like restored photographs, letters, and oral interviews.
O’Hara thanked Peter Hayes, Constableville historian, and Charley Sweredoski, a local Genesee & Wyoming Railroad (G&W) expert, for their assistance behind the scenes in providing greater insight into the settlement of Page and lending photos from their collections.
Drawing parallels between the fictional protagonist, Allen Hargrave, and the book’s author, Lee Wasmuth, history and historical fiction blended to create a vivid picture of 20th century Tug Hill.
Through O’Hara’s analysis of the novel and its ongoing meaning in her family history, Wasmuth’s earnest wish – to typify the people of Tug Hill – was realized.
For those who were unable to attend, would like to rewatch, or share to friends, links to the presentation recording can be found on the Tug Heeiell Commission’s YouTube page here. The slide deck from the presentation and the manuscript transcribed by Jillan can also be found on the commission’s “Past Presentation” website page here.
Illustrations, from above, provided: The Wasmuth family, not many years after settling in Page, NY; and a scrapbook-saved copy of “The Little Voices” serialization.
Recent Comments