CaTTABAXJGUS COUJTTY 135 



people endeavored to improve the eondition of the Indians; they 

 then ceased their efforts, owing largely to the opposition of the 

 noted chief Red Jacket. In- 1839, an .attempt hy the Holland 

 Company to deprive the Senecas of their lands led the Indians to 

 appeal to their former friends for aid, and in 1842, through the 

 influence of the Quakers, 5*3,000 acres cf land were restored to 

 the Indians. At the present time there is a school at Quaker 

 Bridge in tho town of Elko which is maintained by the Quakers 

 for the Indians. 



The Allegany Indian Reservation occupies a portion of the 

 Allegheny river valley in the southern part, and a portion of the 

 town of Perrysburg in the northwestern part is occupied by the 

 Cattaraugus Reservation. 



A pernranent settlement was made at Olean by Major Adam 

 Hoops and his brother Robert from Albany in 1804. For many 

 years a large share of western immigration was by way of the 

 Allegheny River" and Pitts-burgh. Being at the head of boat navi- 

 gation on the river, and on ths Genesee Valley Canal, Olean 

 speedily 'became a place of importance. When* the Erie Canal was 

 completed, travel was diverted from this route and improvements 

 advanced very slowly. Up to the time of the construction of the 

 New York. Lake Erie and "Western Railroad, Cattaraugus County 

 had no means of reaching the eastern markets, and what little 

 surplus in agricultural products the farmers had was nearly con- 

 sumed by the cost of hauling it to Buffalo with their teams, the 

 trips requiring four or five days under favorable circumstances. 

 The successful completion of railroads, therefore, inspired the 

 inhabitants of Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties with a new 

 enterpri- . 



At Ellicottville was located the land office of the Holland Land 

 Company. This village was also the first county seat. 



About 1875, the town of Allegany shared with Pennsylvania 

 in the oil excitement. Many unsuccessful experiments were made, 

 but in 1S03 it was estimated that there were about 1,000 produc- 

 ing wells in the town. 



