150 Years Ago -  1873

John Manny has some excellent Arizona diamonds for sale at ten cents a quart and also some excellent cider at the same price.

Sullivan County has plenty of poor. Her poorhouse contains 339 paupers.

The following officers were named for the Fremont Lyceum; P. Minkler, president; Osmer Wilcox, vice president; George Harding treasurer; and Frank M. LeVan, secretary.

140 Years Ago - 1883

The “Record” may be found on file in New York City at the following places where contracts for advertising can be made:

George P. Rowell & Co.

Dauchy & Co.

F. Duncan Sniffin & Co.

J.H. Bates.

DeBruce is to have a new creamery.

Mrs. Wenzel continues grinding buckwheat flour for the New York market.

The iron foundry of Gilbert Bros. at Livingston Manor is in operation. Over 2,000 pounds of iron was melted in 57 minutes.

Philip Seelig is building quite an addition to his upper leather tannery and will put in an apparatus for tanning sole leather.

At the GAR  prize contest at Port Jervis, to which 2,833 tickets were sold, our genial blacksmith, Ed Fish, won second prize, a sewing machine.

What does a country merchant know about dry goods. Therefore, buy your drugs from Dr. William Brand.

Augustus Dodge of Rockland is rebuilding his mill. It will all be under one roof and much larger and better than before. He has purchased the old tannery at Rockland for lumber to build with.

130 Years Ago - 1893

Melchior Yaggi, the celebrated Swiss cheese maker of North Branch, last week made his usual trip to Scranton to sell his cheese. He had gone to the hotel of John Blatt-ner as usual where he left his cheese. He then ventured on the city streets where he was spotted by a policeman who assumed he was the man sought for a murder and robbery. Yaggi protested his innocence and referred the police to John Blattner’s hotel where the cheese had been left. He also sent for a Scranton friend, Rudolph Buenali. The police, however, held him overnight but released him, giving him $5 for the trouble they caused him. The Wochenbatt, a German newspaper of Scranton, carried the story much to the chagrin of Scranton police.

Miss Theresa Heidt and William H. Addis of Plainfield, N.J., were married on December 6. Among the invited guests were Mrs. P.J. Heidt, C. Heidt, Misses Carrie and Nettie Heidt, Annie Hembdt, Lizzie Hembdt, Mrs. G. Miller, Mrs. James Luckey, Miss I. Luckey and H. Luckey.

John Diehl died at Fosterdale on December 6, aged 74. He was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. He leaves four sons, Nicholas, who is postmaster at Fosterdale, Melvin of Cochecton, Martin of Jersey City, and one other. Also a daughter who resides in New York City.

Now then for a railroad. If the people of Jeffersonville, Youngsville, White Sulphur Springs and Liberty will all chip in a little, we are promised a trolley line by June 15 next. It sounds too good to be true but the Lord knows we have waited long enough for a railroad. Get together now.

120 Years Ago - 1903

The chances are that the Sullivan County Fish Hatchery on the Beaverkill River at Rockland is as good a trout stream as there is in the state, yet water taken from so large a river is not what is needed to grow young trout successfully. Water like this is sometimes too muddy to drink and the mud is too wet to plow. The fish commissioners know all this or could have known it before sod was turned.

John C. Frey of Youngsville was tried in Orange County last week on the charge of stealing a horse from William A. Lawrence of Chester on the night of August 21 last. Frey pleaded guilty of stealing a horse from J. Pine of Walden. The jury brought in a verdict after being out only fifteen minutes. He was sentenced to state prison at Sing Sing from two to five years. Frey is about thirty years old, is married and lives in New York where he tends bar.

Charles Barnhardt of Port Jervis, who stole a horse, wagon and harness from Myers Livery in Port Jervis and was captured in Liberty last summer, was also convicted.

Charles A. Thorwelle on Friday sold the Western Hotel at Callicoon Depot to J.W. Darling of near Tyler Hill where he had conducted the Laurel Lake House.

Mrs. Katrina Gilbert, widow of the late Casper Gilbert, died at Callicoon on December 17, aged 81 years,  6 months. She was born in Leihgestern, Germany. Six children survive her.

110 Years Ago - 1913

The sudden death Sunday of Melvin H. Couch, a prominent Monticello lawyer and former district attorney of Sullivan County, revealed that, unknown to his family and to his clients, a woman had lived for three years in a secret room connecting with his law office in the Masonic Temple. Couch was found lying dead on his office lounge by his brother-in-law, Dr. Curlette, who had been summoned hastily by the woman. In the next room crouched the frightened woman who admitted she had seen him die, but insisted she was not responsible for his death. She said she was Adelaide M. Branch of Gosh-en and the secret room had been her only home during the last three years. Couch was 65 and the woman is 40. She was poorly dressed and the room where she lived was sparsely furnished with an old stove, a table, an iron bed and two chairs. She said she lived there voluntarily and had never gone out in the day time. At rare intervals she went for a walk at night. Miss Branch said she met Couch years ago when she called at his office to sell books. She said she loved Mr. Couch for 15 years and was never happy when away from him even for an hour. Finally, in February 1911, they talked it over and arranged the little room in the back of his office and she lived there ever since. Once or twice Couch’s wife, when in the office, inquired what was kept in the room. Couch always claimed he had mislaid the key and couldn’t open it to show her.

100 Years Ago - 1923

Miss Violet M. Hill has been recommended for the office of postmaster at Loomis by Congressman Charles B. Ward.

Mrs. Sarah F. Dollard, widow of Officer Edward C. Dollard of Monticello, who was murdered on September 5, has been allowed $19.23 a week with an additional allowance for each of her children by the workmen’s compensation. She was also allowed $200 for funeral expenses.

Jerusha, wife of Ezra Close, died at her home in the Forest House, Youngsville, Wednesday morning.

Louis Block has sold his house in Roscoe and he and Mrs. Block will move to Obernburg to live.

The city man who bought the former Frank Bauernfeind place known as the stone house, is having 12 two-room bungalows built on the upper side of the road. They will be leased.

The Callicoon-Falls Mills State Road has been brought to a close for the season. About two months work remains to be done next spring.

90 Years Ago - 1933

The will of Leland S. Purvis of Livingston Manor, who died at his camp in the Adirondacks on October 12, was filed in Surrogate’s Court last Monday. Over half of the estate, valued at $36,000, is left to Syracuse University with the provision that the University care for the little family plot at Livingston Manor. Mr. Purvis was a descendant of Sullivan County pioneers and the family owned most of the land where Livingston Manor now stands. Years ago Mr. Purvis conducted a feed and grain store at the Manor.

Souvenirs of Knapp Brothers, bankers, in the form of checks have just been sent to addresses of people around here who were depositors in the Knapp Bank in Callicoon when it closed in 1909. The checks represent four percent and final payment on the claims of the depositors. This brings the total payments on claims up to 36 1/2 percent of the claims. The postmaster is having a hard time locating the creditors as nearly all of them have died or moved away.

80 Years Ago - 1943

Mrs. John B. Becker, aged 78, died at the Callicoon Hospital on December 16. Mrs. Becker was born at Callicoon Center October 15, 1865, the daughter of George Weyrauch and Barbara Knell.

Adam Metzger, a bachelor, aged 73, died at Callicoon on December 20 of a heart ailment. He was a son of Adam Metzger and Catherine Gorr.

The appointment of Preston A. Abplanalp as postmaster at Youngsville has been approved by the U.S. Senate. He has been acting postmaster since the death of his father.

Mrs. Philip Kespert returned from New York Sunday where her husband had undergone an operation for a clot on the brain. The patient is reported to be doing well. The trouble started a few weeks ago when he was repairing a barn roof and was struck on the head.

John A. Hopkins, retired state police sergeant, was arrested at his home in Kohlertown the other day on the charge of second degree perjury. He was indicted by a New York County grand jury.

Mr. and Mrs. Preston Abplanalp Theiss announce the engagement of their daughter Dorothy to Millard P. Gerhardt of Fremont Center.

70 Years Ago - 1953

Sam Cohen (Tomcat) Married in Akron December 19 reads the headlines in this week’s Record. Charles Peterson Jr. was best man and Joseph Clifford was usher. The bride is the former  Arlene Caperilo of Akron.

Charles P. Kautz was presented the 50-year Masonic Medal at the annual meeting of Delaware Lodge F.&A.M., Callicoon.

The Sullivan County Bar Association plans a reception for Lawrence Cooke of Monticello, who takes office as Sullivan County Judge January 1st.

William Hupke recently bought a registered Holstein-Fresian cow from the herd of Eric R. Karg of Callicoon.

Allen Hauser celebrated his 10th birthday at a Christmas party at his Youngsville home this week. About 40 members of the 4-H Club of Youngsville and some of the parents attended. Each brought a 25¢ gift which they exchanged. Delicious refreshments were served. Allen is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hauser.

Alfred H. Beck, president of the Liberty Maimonides Hospital, announced the opening of the Radiotherapy Department at the hospital, under the direction of Dr. Frederick Elias.

60 Years Ago - 1963

At the regular meeting of the Sullivan County Council, Veterans of Foreign Wars, held December 9 at the Clarence Hoyt Post Home in Liberty, the Ladies Auxiliary presented Fred Starck, chairman of the Sullivan County Community College, with one hundred fifty dollars for a scholarship to be awarded to a veteran, his wife, son or daughter, to further his education.

Supreme Court Justice William Deckelman of Jeffersonville will continue to sit on the bench for two more years despite the fact that he has reached the retirement age of 70. When justices reach the retirement age (70 years) they may be certified by the Board as a “retired justice” with the same powers, duties and salary as the justices on the active list. The law permits successive extensions with final retirement at the end of the year in which the age of 76 is reached.

The sale of one of the better known and long-established business places in the Youngsville area transpired recently when the Heller and Heller store, owned and operated by Rose and Sam Heller, changed ownership. The purchase of the store was made by John and Anna Dunnegan of Youngsville and will be known as John’s General Store.

The twelfth juror and the first alternate were seated this week in the first degree murder trial of Mrs. Diane Delameter, 27, of Livingston Manor who was charged with killing her husband, David S., 29, on February 21 of this year.

Diane Roback, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Roback, RFD, Cochecton, was named to the Dean’s List at State University, College of Brockport. Diane is a senior majoring in health and physical education.

Superintendent J. Burch McMorran said on December 12 that the Sstate Department of Public Works has concluded its route location study for an 18-mile portion of Route 17 Expressway between Livingston Manor, Sullivan County, and East Branch, Delaware County, and has resumed design on a section of that road.

50 Years Ago - 1973

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Davies of Tyler Hill are the proud new owners of the former Callicoon Alleys, now to be known as Callicoon Lanes, which they purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Klimchok.

Eric Seiler of Liberty was announced on Wednesday as the top ranking Regents Scholarship winner in the county, achieving a score of 279 out of a possible 300.

The first major snowstorm of the season hit Sullivan County starting Sunday evening and for 24 hours buffeted the area with a combination of snow, sleet and rain, leaving slippery roads and up to a foot of snow in its wake. Delaware Valley School was one of the few schools in the county to hold regular classes.

The appointment of George A. Worden as postmaster at Jeffersonville was officially announced Saturday, December 8.

Davey Fisk, local Punt, Pass and Kick hero from Hortonville, took sixth place on Sunday in the Eastern United States Division which was held during the half-time period of the Falcons-Saints game played in Atlanta, Ga. Only one boy in 9,000 out of the 1,400,000 who entered this year’s competition reached the Atlanta level of the competition. We are proud of him in the Delaware Valley.

Patty Neer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Neer, Long Eddy, returned home on Monday from Miami, Fla., where she and her Orange County Community College volleyball teammates had competed in the national Junior College Women’s Volleyball championships. The team finished third in the national competition.

At the Liberty-Loomis Hospital, it was a December 10 baby boy, Michael Alexander, to Mr. and Mrs. William Dirie of Hortonville; December 13, twin boys were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lee Morton of Swan Lake and a baby girl was born to Mr and Mrs. Melvin Finkle of Livingston Manor; December 14, it was a baby girl to Mr. and Mrs. William O’Neill of Woodbourne.

40 Years Ago - 1983

Water levels in the Delaware River crested at just one inch below flood stage Wednesday as more than three inches of rain in a 48-hour period inundated the Sullivan County area.

The state Department of Transportation is to go ahead with plans to rehabilitate the Bridgeville bridge with work to begin Monday on the 30-year old span.

Fire struck twice in Monticello Monday, gutting the dining room of Carlo’s Restaurant before dawn and damaging the upper floors of the Monticello Inn and Motel in the afternoon. Three persons were slightly injured in the hotel fire, and 16 residents, evacuated from the building, were awaiting word from the Red Cross late Monday on where they could stay for the night.

Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bauer of Hankins celebrated their 50th wedding with more than 250 friends and relatives at Hermann Hall in Callicoon on November  13. She is the former Florence McGuire of Hankins. They were married on December 31, 1933, at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Callicoon. The celebration was held early so their attendants, Bill and Bertha Milk, who leave for their winter home in Florida in the Fall, could be with them.

Robin Smith and Melvin Olsen Jr. were married November 12 at St. George’s in Jeffersonville. A reception was held at King’s Catering House in Livingston Manor. 

Lisa M. Meckle and Howard E. Williams were married October 8 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Narrowsburg. They will live in Augusta, Georgia.

Tammi Reiss, the oustanding young runner from Eldred, came in second in the National AAU Junior Olympics held in Fresno, Calif., last weekend. The eighth grader, who won the New York State Class C-D Intersectional title in cross-country this fall, led the Grahamsville Road Runners to a third place overall finish in the girls 13-14-year-old age division with a 14:44 time.

30 Years Ago - 1993

Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-26) has announced his nomination of Peter Glantzis of the Roscoe Central School to the United States Military Academy, and Brian Green of the Tri-Valley Central School, nominated for the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The selection is based on the student’s academic record, extracurricular activities, professional recommendations and a personal interview.

Students and faculty of BOCES Vocational and Technical Program served a holiday meal at the Grange Hall for the needy. More than 80 people were served a complete turkey dinner.

The Bethel Town Board finds themselves facing two different event proposals – Woodstock’s 25th anniversary will be observed August 13 and 14. Bethel Festivals, Inc. would offer two separate concerts for 45,000 people on a portion of the former Yasgur Farm, now owned by Steve Dubrovsky, with no overnight camping. Bethel would receive a $2.50 share of every $95 ticket sold each day, plus free admission for all town residents. After the concerts, the 150 acres of purchased land would be subdivided and 18.36 acres donated back to the town by November of 1994 with a fully-developed museum resembling a peace symbol from the air, a performing arts center, amphitheater and nature trails valued at $1.4 million. A portion of the profits would be given to charity such as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Contracts would be executed with the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce for local coordination and Woodstone Development of Bethel for site work. The second proposal, by “Bethel ‘94,” promoted by Sid Bernstein, Ltd., calls for a two-day concert for 80,000 people on the original Woodstock site leased on a 10-year option from June Gelish, with camping allowed. Admission would include $150 tickets, four cans of food and four clothing items. Ten dollars of every ticket would be divvied up by the Town of Bethel and Sullivan County plus $250,000 would be offered to cover ancillary rights. A portion of the profits would be given to charitable organizations such as the Daytop Foundation.

Erica Totten and Kaseem Sinceno were chosen queen and king of the homecoming dance at Liberty High School. He has been awarded a four-year football scholarship at Syracuse University and Erica is looking for a college where she can continue to play soccer.

Jeremy Moore, a 1991 Liberty Central School graduate, was named head coach of Central Missouri State University’s Flight Team this fall. The team captured top honors at the Regional VI SAFECON flight competition held last month in Stillwater, Okla., and the win assures the team a trip to the National Intercollegiate Flying Association’s national competition in Parks College, Cahokia, Ill., in May. A FAA-certified commercial pilot and flight instructor, as well as an advanced ground instructor and instrument ground instructor, Jeremy is a junior majoring in drafting technology. The sons of Gary and Janice Moore of Liberty, his brothers, Kevin and Andy, are both college basketball coaches.

Wilma (Poley) and Adolph Wagner of North Branch celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on December 8 with a party in  Florida. A renewal of wedding vows was held at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Largo, Fla., with Bishop Keith Symons, officiating. The Wagners winter in Largo, Fla., and spend the summer months in North Branch. They have two daughters, Alice Mootz of Callicoon Center and Joy Klemm of New Jersey; five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

20 Years Ago - 2003

The Town of Thompson Wal-Mart donated $1,500 to the First Night activities happening in Sullivan County – and only in Sullivan County – on New Year’s Eve. The Recovery Center is spearheading the effort for an event which brings people and families together December 31 to enjoy non-alcoholic and fun activities to celebrate the new year.

BIRTHS: A girl, Jessica Nicole, was born November 24, to Kathleen and Anthony Dworetsky of Liberty… A boy, Justin Michael, was born November 25, to Sue and Michael Garlinghouse of Monticello.... Lauren Ashley Gerow, daughter of Spencer and Pam Gerow of Asheboro, N.C., was born December 20, 2003. The paternal grandparents are Lewis Jr. and Gretchen Gerow of Liberty. Maternal grandparents are Garry and Diane Kreger of Pine City.

Joseph and Dawn Curreri of Narrowsburg celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on September 16, and reaffirmed their wedding vows on September 27. A reception for 80 guests was held at the Central House in Beach Lake, Pa. following the ceremony.

Charles DeHart Jr. of Staten Island is the winner of this year’s Big Buck Contest with a 10-point buck weighing 172 pounds, also seizing the Heaviest Deer Title at the same time, for the first time since 1989.

Harold Russell III of Bethel bagged a 650-pound bear that was so massive it had to be brought out of the woods in quarters. According to NYS DEC officials, the state record is a 660-pound bruin taken in 1975 in Franklin County.

10 Years Ago - 2013

Columbian Consulate General Elsa Gladys Fuentes accepted a floral arrangement from a delegation of local Columbian youth who donned traditional Columbian dress and recognized Fuentes for her historic visit to the area on December 14.

Retiring Councilmember Sharon Jankiewicz received a plaque of appreciation after last Thursday’s Town of Thompson Board meeting. Jankiewicz first served on the board from 2001-2003 and then, after losing a bid for relection in 2003, has won four straight two-year terms starting in 2005. She did not run for relection in 2013, opting to try for the Town of Thompson Justice seat, and losing to incumbent Martin Miller. 

St. Francis R. C. Church and the United Reformed Church joined forces again this year to create baskets for Youngsville residents and those in adjoining communities. Forty-three food baskets (which included a turkey or ham and enough food for Christmas Dinner and beyond) were delivered. The baskets also included “soup in a jar” created by the St. Francis Sunday School students. On December 12, 54 “Thinking of You” baskets, to let people know they have not been forgotten by their community, were delivered, which included baked goods, candy, and a beautiful poinsettia. This has become an annual event which gets bigger and better each year.