This historic photo was taken November 7, 1898 from the second floor window of the local Clock Shop and Jewelry store (the present day Bank of Cattaraugus Community Room at 9 Main Street).  The speech delivered was in advance of the New York State Gubernatorial election the following day.  This was just three short months after Col. Roosevelt's historic adventures in Cuba with the Roughriders for which he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.  With his Roughrider's bugler, very active at his side, Teddy chose Cattaraugus as the location for his last speech prior to being elected Governor of New York State.   After this speech, Teddy traveled to Jamestown to visit one of his Roughriders who had been wounded in Cuba.  Oral history recalls that one of his strong messages delivered that day was ie:  "If we have something...we have the responsibility to care for it."  

           At the Historic Cattaraugus Corporation, we second that emotion.