The fence around the Baptist Church in this village, has disappeared very mysteriously during the past winter.  Whether strayed or stolen it is not yet definitely ascertained; but from circumstances recently developed, the latter idea seems most conclusive.  Rumor says it has been tracked going Westward; but still, as the Church is located on quite an elevated piece of ground, and near the brink of the hill, it is possible that it may have slid off to the Eastward.

Any person who will give correct information where said fence may be found, or where it was last seen after leaving the premises, will be liberally rewarded by the trustees of the Baptist society.  Any person wishing to make any confession in relation to it, may rely upon having profound secrecy maintained by applying soon to one of the Deacons of the Church.

     Oneonta, May 20, 1841.]

From the town book the following copy of the doings of the people, at their first town meeting, has been made: 

“At an annual town meeting held in the town of Oneonta at the house of Thomas D. Alexander, on the 1st day of March, present

     Eliakim R. Ford,} Justices in
     Robert Cook, } said town.

“After the opening of the meeting by proclamation, it was resolved,

1st, That there be three assessors elected for said town.

2d, That there be four constables elected for said town.

3d, That there be four pound-masters chosen for said town.

4th, That an amount, equal to the sum which may be distributed to said town from the common school fund, be raised by tax for the support of common schools in said town.

5th, That the sum of one dollar per day be allowed to the fence viewers of said town.

6th, That five per cent. be allowed as the compensation to the collector, as his fees for collecting the taxes for said town.

7th, That all circular and partition fences, in said town, shall be at least four feet and six inches high.

8th, That widows, who have no land, shall be entitled to let their cattle run at large in the public highways, from the first of April to the first of December.

9th, That the annual town meeting shall be held on the first Thursday of March.  The following officers were then elected for the town: 

Supervisor, William Richardson.

Town Clerk, Adam Brown.

{ John Dillingham,
Justices of the peace { Jonah Northrup,
{ John S. Yager.

{ John Van Woert,
Assessors { John Fritts,
{ John T. Quackenboss.

{ Isaac Shepherd,
Commissioners of Highways { Asel Marvin,
{ William Angel.

Overseers of the poor { George W. Smith,
                        { Samuel Carpenter.

Collector, Hiram Shepherd.

{ Hiram Shepherd,
Constables { David Sullivan,
{ Emanuel Northrup,
{ Robert S. Cook.