Historically speaking ...

Here are some little known facts about Sparta that you might enjoy. I have extracted them from Images Of Sparta, a historical narrative written by Duane Pierson, Ph.D, printed in 1981 and presented by the Sparta Bicentennial Commission. It can be purchased at the Sparta Library. It is said that the first movie with a plot ever filmed was made in Sparta. The Riker Farm, now buried under Rte. 15, and the train depot were used by director Edwin S. Porter for Thomas Edison’s movie, The Great Train Robbery. The first automobile in town was owned by E. C. Timbrell, the jeweler. It was one of the type steered by a stick and made quite a hit with all the village boys. The first town meeting was held at John Kelsey’s Inn on April 14, 1845. Officers were selected, with the first committee members being William Cox, John Campbell, James Decker and Lewis Sherman. At that meeting it was resolved to raise $1,000 for highways, $200 as a school fund, $300 for township use, $1 a day to be paid for work on the roads, and that the next meeting be held at the Inn of John Cox. Sparta had a newspaper, The Sparta Signal, published from 1885 to 1892 by Collins Sanford, above his clothing store. The paper was pro-temperance and stated boldly in its masthead, “No License for the Liquor Traffic in any Form or for any Price.” It consisted of a lot of advertising, much proselytizing, and a little news. Sparta burials during the 1850s were done by the Shuman Funeral Home. The business came down through the family to eventually become the Goble Funeral Home. In the very early years, residents had to call on Dr. Hunt in Newton. Charles Vail appears to have been the first resident doctor, practicing from 1821 to 1829. David Melancthon Sayre, our next physician, stayed for awhile. Beginning his practice in 1829, he collected lectures and received his M.D. from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York in 1836. He left Sparta in 1843, returning in 1845 “at the urgent solicitations of its citizens.” Sayre practiced here until age 63. He never married and was in no degree fond of children. He also managed to accumulate some wealth, as he left $5,000 to the Newton Library. Sparta did not have a police force until 1932, although several residents served as County Sheriff, the most prominent of whom was James Decker. Harry Ducey was the first chief when the force was formed in 1932, an office he held for about one year. The township committee then appointed Fred Spoolstra to the post, in which he served for 14 years. Submitted by Patricia Giantonio, Trustee of The Sparta Historical Society