In April 1861 men from throughout the region congregated in Smethport to answer the call of Thomas K. Kane to join a militia. The Bennett House Hotel, site of Kane's recruiting headquarters, burned in 1881, and is now home to the Courtyard Restaurant.
Among those who volunteered for the militia and took the oath of service in Smethport was S.G. Southwick. During the reenactment, Southwick was played by Friendship, NY resident John Stengel, who gave a rousing speech to motivate the volunteers before they marched off toward Emporium on their way to Harrisburg and, ultimately, legendary Civil War status.
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