At the corner of Oak and Robinson streets and just facing Green street is a small wooden dwelling that was once the residence of one of the early settlers. The present occupants are Mr. and Mrs. Edward P. Bates who have fitted up the interior in a very comfortable manner and who take great pleasure in the beautiful views afforded by the surrounding landscape.
Since Mr. Bates purchased the property the old farm house has been enlarged till it now consists of nine rooms, including the conservatory. The sills and floor were constructed of hewn timber, and the sleepers under the floor were made of round timbers, hewn on the top surface only. The frame work was made of two inch plank, set upright, with laths plastered on the inside and with clapboards on the outside. This is the only house of that construction in the city. The old mahogany furniture with its accompanying old-fashioned wood fireplace, together with the many modern artistic furnishings, makes this old landmark a very cosy residence.
Not only is this house a reminder of the past but it has historic interest as the birthplace of Christian Science in this part of the State. In this house the first patient in Christian Science was healed in Syracuse or anywhere in this vicinity. Mrs. Bates had been suffering for several years from various complications which several learned men of the medical fraternity had pronounced incurable. Mrs. Bates procured the textbook written by the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science. This textbook was entitled Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. After reading this valuable book she was immediately healed. This occurred in November, 1885. Mrs. Bates went to Boston where she studied under Mrs. Eddy that she might learn how it was that she was thus healed. She became a convert to this new science; and from her miraculous cure many others studied this science, believed and were cured of their infirmities. This was the beginning of Christian Science in Syracuse and surrounding cities. —Syracuse Sunday Times.
