New Recording 21

In Eastern Wapaka, notable figures like James Smiley, Louis Bastado, and Olaf Dreutzer were champions. Similarly, Western Wapaka had impressive individuals such as E. C. Sessions, James Jones, and Judge F. F. Ware. Towns in the county's middle tried to benefit from the rivalry, with Ogdensburg vying for the county seat. Champions of Eastern Wapaka included the larger-than-life James Smiley, future state assemblyman Louis Bastado, and respected soldier-turned-lawyer Olaf Dreutzer. Western Wapaka was represented by equally impressive figures such as E. C. Sessions, one of the first settlers of Wapaka, James Jones, a respected businessman, and the Honorable Judge F. F. Ware. The towns in the middle of the county often played both sides of this debate in an effort to gain some leverage in county affairs, or in the case of Ogdensburg, to gain the advantage and take the county seat for herself.