"Next to Lloyd Dorsey, there was probably during his residence here, no better known, colored citizen than was John P. Hemans. The father of a large family, he was frugal, industrious and withal jovial, good natured and inclined to look upon life as worthy of temperate enjoyment. His rich mellow voice usually ended with a rollicking laugh that was contagious enough to knock the blue spots right off of a fit of melancholy. John was riding one day with Will Giltner and when, on the Main St. bridge the horse commences to back and kick, addressing the animal, John exclaimed 'My gracious! If you are going to get in, I am going to get out,' and suited the action to the word--accordingly. At another time, John was driving through Main St. and when in front of the business place of a well known Baptist, he was hailed by the later for a ride to the lower end of town. It so happened that just behind was another member of the same church coming along in a sulky, John's reply was: Mr. H-- there's no room for you in here, please get in with your close communion friend behind us.' And then his well known 'Ha yah-yah' rolled out in deep sonorous volume upon the listeners ear."
Trumansburg Free Press, January 2, 1897, 2, col. 2.