In 1884, Cato contained 37 inhabitants: John Jakway, who lived in the west end of the old hotel that has just been torn down; Augustus Ferris, who lived where M.M. Hunter now lives; George Carr, where Cynthia Wright lives; John Hooker, where the Cato mills are; Old Critchet, down south by the old saw mill; Dr. Hoxie, where Julia Turner now lives; Letitin and Margaret Wallis, where George Taylor lives; Old Dan Parker's son, where Mrs. Knowlton lives; Joel Dutton and William Nobles, where Edmund Dutton now lives and where they had a tannery; John Fryer, where Applegate now lives; Bradford and David Cook, where Mrs. Gulick now lives; Elihu Perry, which his heirs now own; a blacksmith named Botsford, where Ned Kennedy's shop is; John Rich and Seth Rich, in houses just east of Bradford Cook's; Radney, on the J.D. Acker place; Albert Daratt in the hotel that is now stores of the Charles Allen estate; Ben Conger on the corner that burned down this spring; Henry Furman in partnership with Benjamin Conger, in the old steam mill and which was converted into a tannery and burned about 20 years ago; Dr. Barker; Alech Burch, who lived on the Thompson farm; Judge Ferris and sons, where D.R. Conger lives; David Chittenden, near the foundry; Justus Wilkinson, in the old Red house near the railroad and hemlock; John Everts, who kept the upper hotel that Hollister built; Samuel Hale and Benjamin Conger were in partnership and Ferris & Noble in general stores, George Rich came in this county that year, John M. Barnes, who lived on the Wyleman Olmstead farm and preached the Disciple religion.

Weedsport was about the same size and Auburn no larger. The pair outstripped Cato, but at present, the race is anybody's. In those days, a man, to start a store, laid in a stock of whiskey and molasses enough to make Blackstrap, stirring the molasses in with their finger. Thus having provided the necessaries of life, they later on got in the luxuries, such as flour, sugar and tea. Then came the Williams boys and old “Sterling Cook,” horse traders and jockey. Cato was then the Coeur d'Alene of the west. Penny Ante was discovered in a barn near where D.E. Hunter's house now is and became a favorite game among the first families. If a stranger came in the hotel then and asked how far it was to Ira Hill, the crowd all got right up and said they would take whiskey. Several of their descendants are living here now. There are many roads leading out of this town, and Will Jacoby, for 15 years, could never find the nearest road to Pineville. There probably isn't five inhabitants in this village whose opinion he has not obtained on that subject. It was his first joke when he arrived in town and his last when he departed.

This article was transposed as written with the exception of a few spelling corrections. One can understand being confused in reading the description of who lived where, especially now after another 100 years has elapsed. Of course, the article was written for readers of the day who would have been acquainted with some of the buildings, some of which would have still existed when the article was reprinted in 1902.

It would not be wise to try to explain where each of the buildings exist (or no longer exist) today, however, some explanation of items referenced here are in order.

The reference to Coeur d'Alene describes a northern Idaho resort area. Apparently the writer felt that the area was picturesque probably due to the numerous drumlins and ponds.

Penny Ante is the low stakes card game portrayed in old west movies.

Pineville is actually not in the town or village of Cato, but is situated where Spring Lake is in the town of Conquest.

If anyone has information about “Old Critchet,” please contact the town historian.

Source: the Cato Graphic and reprinted in the Cato Citizen 1902

Eva Taylor Sholes is the town of Cato historian and can be reached at 834-6306