140 Years Ago - 1885

Long Eddy: Our village school, under the management of Miss Nettie Ward and Miss Emma Steele, assistant, is progressing nicely. The average attendance is said to be 78 pupils.

J. Ross, our village miller, has reduced the price of good feed to $1.10 per hundred.

The Watchman says that for the past year or two Capt. Ben Reynolds has been in receipt of a small pension of $5 a month. Some months ago, some enemy wrote to the department against the continuance of his pension. Capt. Reynolds was ordered  before the Medical Board for examination, and last week he received notice that his pension instead of being withdrawn, had been increased to $20 a month.

130 Years Ago - 1895

The death of Philip Metzger at his home near Jeffersonville on Thursday last week cast a deep shadow of sorrow and sympathy over the community. On January 10, he was taken with the grippe and a few days later pneumonia developed. His condition kept getting worse until the morning of January 17 when he experienced a paralytic shock, which abruptly terminated his life. Mr. Metzger was a popular man in this vicinity, and always held in high esteem by a host of friends. He was born in Germany, September 29, 1847.

Jacob Zopfi, aged 64 years, died at his home near this village Sunday morning.

John, the second eldest son of Casper Neagle of Jeff, died at Hulls, Pa., January 18, aged 20.

Louise, wife of Henry Ebert, died at home in the town of Fremont on January 17, age 37 years. The deceased was the oldest daughter of Peter Wagner of Jeffersonville.

The statement was made in this and other county papers that “from fifteen to twenty years ago there was not a regular boarding house in Sullivan County.” We are told by Rev. E. E. Pinney, an old inhabitant of the county, that this statement is historically incorrect. Our friend says he knows positively that over forty years ago, D.B. Kinne erected a boarding house in White Lake, which he adds, was probably the first boarding house for New York guests in the county.

Theo. Bird of Jeffersonville fluttered about town for a few days last week visiting his namesake of The Record, giving practical illustration of the old adage that “Birds of a feather flock together.” Mr. Bird placed an order with the Sidney Lumber Company for material to build a pleasant home in Jeffersonville. — Sidney Record.

John Luchs has changed his location from New York to Philadelphia, where  he is now slinging type.

120 Years Ago - 1905

Harvey Beadle, 70 years of age, was struck by a fast O&W northbound freight train at East Branch Friday morning and was instantly killed. Mr. Beadle, who was stopping with his son at East Branch, was standing along the track watching some workmen, and being deaf, did not hear the whistle of the engine when it was blown. He was a brother of Peter W. Beadle of Youngsville.

Policeman Ira Kinney, son of George Kinney of Maplewood, died Tuesday night of last week at Bellevue Hospital, New York City, from a pistol shot in the abdomen, received by the accidental discharge of a revolver at the 9th Regiment Armory where he, being an expert, was detailed to instruct members of the police force in pistol practice.

John H. Wagner on Tuesday sold his well known hotel at Hortonville to John Lowe, a prominent young carpenter of North Branch.

There were four entries in the horse race on the ice on Tennanah Saturday – Luddington’s Black Pete and Ed Faubel’s horse of Roscoe, Whitmore’s horse of Fremont and Lembeck’s horse of Jeffersonville. The $50 purse offered by Fred Poley of the Lake House was divided into three monies and won by Luddington, Lembeck and Faubel in the order named.

Walter Stewart of North Branch broke his arm while wrestling at school Tuesday.

One of the great social successes of the season was the welcome party given the new management of the Mansion House last Friday night. It was one of the most sociable and jolly times on record. Messrs. Knell and Durr, the landlords, entered freely into the spirit of the occasion, and Mrs. Knell did more than her share toward its success.

110 Years Ago - 1915

O.B. Anderson, merchant and postmaster at North Branch, died at his home there Saturday morning, following a third stroke. He was 78 years old.

George J. Bryan, president of the University Society, publishers of New York City, died suddenly of heart disease in the small waiting room of the Hotel Imperial Saturday. Mr. Bryan was a native of Fosterdale.

Efforts are being made to have a rural mail route established to run from Jeffersonville over Swiss Hill around to Briscoe and return by way of East Hill, making a trip of about 24 miles.

Franklin H. Neuberger and family have gone to East Branch and will take board at Hotel Delaware for a couple of months, during which time Mr. Neuberger expects to engage in active field work on the M.E. charge of which he is pastor.

Floyd Scheidell, a Jeffersonville boy, who was graduated in the law course at Syracuse University last June, went to Middletown on Monday to enter the law office of Thomas C. Rogers, former district attorney of Orange County.

Matt T. Collins, who has successfully conducted the Democrat at Callicoon for the past five years, and recently established the Narrowsburg Democrat in conjunction, has sold these two newspapers and the print plant at Callicoon to Wm. Heidt Jr., principal of the Long Eddy school, who will take possession February 1.

Miss Genevieve Bury has been appointed postmistress at Fremont to succeed her brother, Frank Bury. The latter was an applicant for reappointment, but his sister beat him out on the examination. William A. Heinle has been appointed at Cochecton Center post office.

The Jeff boys went to Liberty Thursday night and bowled duck pins with the Liberty duckies and were defeated two straight on the Liberty House alleys.

100 Years Ago - 1925

Well, we think we have just about enough snow for a while. With a couple of inches last week and about six inches more Monday night and Tuesday, we can get along very well without any more of the stuff. In fact, we could have gotten along better with less.

Henry E. Townsend, employed on the log saw at Kohler’s lumber mills, had his right hand badly mangled when the glove he was wearing was caught in the friction disks which operate the log carrier and drew his hand in between the disks. The thumb and three fingers were badly crushed with part of the hand.

A daughter, Harriet Margaret, weighing 8 1/4 pounds, was born to Mr. and Mrs. John H. Pfeifle of New Jersey on January 12. Mrs. William Pfeifle of Jeffersonville is now a grandmother.

Game Protectors Hembdt and Bisland made a sudden visit to Swan Lake at Stevensville last week and arrested six men, most of them from Liberty, for taking pickerel under the legal size of 12 inches. The men were fined $12.50 each.

Mrs. L.B. Goodman is expected a visit soon from her brother, Frank M. Knise, who was recently discharged from the Blossburg, Pa., hospital where he was confined for several weeks, following an accident in which a heavy iron door fell on him, breaking his leg and four ribs.

Callicoon Center – Jan. 20 – Christopher Kastner died at his home here Friday, January 16, in his 90th year. At the age of 13, he came to this country with his parents. With the passing of Mr. Kastner there goes another monarch of the pioneer days.

Mrs. Charlotte Bennett died at her home near Bethel village on January 11. She was 75 years old and was the daughter of the late William Townsend and Charlotte Taylor.

90 Years Ago - 1935

Al Fine’s orchestra has been engaged for the firemen’s dance at the Lake Jefferson Hotel next Saturday night. This is the firemen’s big night of the year and about everybody takes it in. The new officers of Protection Hose Co. are President Robert H. Man, Vice President Herbert W. Grishaber, Secretary and Treasurer Samuel Baer, Chief Mark Kohler, First and Second Lieutenants August Lott and Al Townsend.

A group of young people in Jeffersonville have organized a social and literary club and have their meeting place at The Shoppe.

Oliver Erdman, aged about 25 and second son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Erdman of Jeffersonville, went to Poughkeepsie Monday and enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Mrs Catherine Henrietta Durr, widow of Peter Durr, died at her home in Callicoon Center January 16, following an illness of three months. She was in her 79th year.

Miss Mabel Irene Stephenson, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Stephenson of Birch Ridge and Sidney F. Fulton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fulton of Kenoza Lake, were married January 16 in New York City.

Frederick R. Schuler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb Schuler of New York and nephew of Harry C. Schuler of Callicoon Center, was united in marriage with Miss Caroline A. Neuman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Neuman of Fremont at St. Paul’s Reformed Church parsonage on Sunday, January 20, by Rev. J.E. Straub.

80 Years Ago - 1945

Word has been received that Col. Frank L. Bock has been wounded in action in Belgium on January 8th.

Donald Tobin, local Erie agent, was elected president of the Narrowsburg Chamber of Commerce at the annual meeting held at Feagle’s Hillside on Monday night.

Matthew J. Freda, a native of Callicoon, has recently been promoted to Captain at the Long Beach Army Air Field in California. Capt. Freda is a veteran of 172 missions, 97 in the European and Pacific theatres and 75 trips over the treacherous “Hump” in India.

Miss Hilda Stalker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry D. Stalker of Loomis Road, and Mr. G. Calvert Crary, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Crary of Neversink Road, were married at Hotel Lenape, Liberty, at 8 o’clock Wednesday evening.

Fred Fendt, Callicoon clothier, last week purchased the former John Kautz residence in the village from Henry Rieger.

Bucky’s Inn, operated by Mr. and Mrs. William H. Baum, was closed Monday evening for the duration, or until Mr. Baum comes home from the service into which he will go on February 13. Bucky’s Inn has been in operation since 1934.

Lt. and Mrs. Warren McClure are the parents of a baby boy born February 9th at the Callicoon Hospital.

Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Wilfert of Jeffersonville are the parents of a baby girl born February 12. Mrs. Charles Rolston and infant son of Tyler Hill, Pa., were discharged. The baby was born February 5.

70 Years Ago - 1955

Funeral services were held at Monticello Tuesday for Dr. William Fernhoff, 58, of Woodridge, who died at Cornwall Hospital Monday. He was fatally injured in a head-on collision of his automobile and a truck on Route 17 one-half mile east of the Monroe State Police barracks the afternoon of January 21. Dr. Fernhoff’s wife, the former Tola Schwarz, was instantly killed in the accident and a friend, Mrs. Fanny Levey, 52, of New York, was fatally injured. She died January 23 at the Cornwall Hospital.

On November 30, Carol Anne Tyler was born to Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Tyler of Callicoon RFD 2. She is the first girl to be born in the Dryden Tyler family since 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Tyler of Conklin Hill and Mrs. and Mrs. Ernest Brigham Sr. of Abrahamsville are the proud grandparents.

Petitions requesting a study of centralization of 27 school districts in eastern and central Sullivan County without Monticello will be presented to the State Education Department soon. This was disclosed at a forum attended by 250 at the courthouse Monday night.

Six-year-old Esther Kaplan, daughter of Moe and Ann Rappaport Kaplan, Monticello, died at Monticello Hospital Thursday night, 11 hours after she was given an anesthetic for removal of tonsils. Cause of death, according to the physician, Dr. Stanley Kornblum, Monticello, was cardiac arrest.

60 Years Ago - 1965

Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Pomeroy of Roscoe were feted on the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary by relatives and friends on January 24 at the Antrim Lodge.

Cono Manzolillo became the presiding officer of the Callicoon Kiwanis Club when installation ceremonies were conducted at the Village Inn, Hortonville, on January 26. He succeeds Frank Popolillo of Callicoon.

Eugene Lifshitz of White Lake took a five pound, four ounce pickerel recently on a tip-up on White Lake. The catch represents one of the heaviest taken through the ice in a number of years. 

Over 200 fishermen registered for the ice fishing contest at Vassmer’s Store, Kauneonga Lake, last weekend. An estimated 1,000 persons were attracted to White Lake with many cars parked along Route 17B to watch the sports cars maneuver around the difficult gymkhana courses on the ice.

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Keesler of Callicoon RD 2, on February 1, at the Callicoon Hospital.

Van Edward, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Vandergriff Fuller Jr., was christened at the Sunday morning service of the Presbyterian Church in Cochecton.

Linda Ann Emery, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Emery of Livingston Manor, became the bride of William G. Vick Jr. on January 30.

The following births are recorded: a boy to Mr. and Mrs. James Price of Liberty, January 24: a girl to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Gross, Liberty, on January 26; a boy to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Whalen of Liberty on February 1; a girl, January 25, to Mr. and Mrs. Leon King of White Lake; a girl, January 26, to Mr. and Mrs. Elvin Roser of Livingston Manor; a girl, February 1, to Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Berberich of Youngsville.

Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Wolff of Cochecton celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on January 24th.

50 years ago - 1975

Charles Morgan, Fosterdale postmaster, retired Friday after 28 years and 9 months of service in the tiny establishment that has become a Sullivan County landmark, and will spend his retirement years in “goin’ fishin’.”

Peck’s Market opened its new Narrowsburg Store between Kirk Road and Route 97 on Wednesday. The new steel building covers 13,000 square feet.

Mr. and Mrs. Larry Jersey Jr. of Livingston Manor won the Friday Night Scotch Doubles tournament with a high score of 555.

John E. Mages, meter installer, retired February 1 after 24 years with the New York State Electric & Gas Corporation. At John’s request, no formal retirement dinner was held but his fellow workers feted him at an informal gathering held in his honor. Among his many gifts was money to be used to purchase a beagle puppy that John can raise to his liking. His retirement plans include a lot of hunting and fishing.

Attorney and Mrs. Jacob Epstein of Jeffersonville announce the birth of a daughter, Ilene Lenora, on January 29, at Horton Hospital in Middletown. The little miss weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz.

40 Years Ago - 1985

Village of Liberty board members finally voted 3-2 Monday evening to adopt the 133-page “Police Rules and Regulations Manual” first submitted to the board some seven months ago. According to Mayor Ida “Skippy” Frankel, although the police guidelines had not been updated for nearly twenty years, trustees Harry Wild and Isidore Gerber have withheld approval of the manual since last  summer because it allowed the use of a police dog in assisting the department’s work. Reading an excerpt from a Philadelphia (Pa.) newspaper that cited several instances where police patrol dogs had made misguided attacks on residents, Gerber said he felt obligated to see that Liberty did not experience the same type of problem.

Anthony “Tony” Barone, Wurtsboro aviator, owner and operator of the Wurtsboro Airport, died Friday, January 25 after a long illness. “The Wurtsboro Airport is a nationally known facility for glider flying and the dedication and love of it by Mr. Barone, made it what it is,” said Town of Mamakating Supervisor Dennis Greenwald.

Announcement of the engagement of Laurie Jane Stabbert, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Stabbert of Callicoon, to Richard D. Sanford, son of Publisher and Mrs. Roswell R. Sanford of Margaretville, was announced this week. An August 3 wedding is planned… The engagement of Penny Rosenberger to Timothy Ackermann, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Ackermann of Cochecton, was announced by the bride-elect’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Rosenberger… Marylou Theiss of Bethel and William Roycraft’s engagement was announced this week by her mother, Mrs. Gladys Theiss of Bethel. An October 1985 wedding is planned.… Mr. and Mrs. Michael Antosh of Jeffersonville announce the engagement of their daughter, Florence, to Todd Gorton, son of Douglas and Clara Gorton of Neversink.… Joseph and Gloria Vitolo of Swan Lake announce the engagement of their daughter, Lisa,  to George Trickel Jr., son of Joan Fink of Liberty and George Trickel Sr. of Brooklyn.

Persistent rumors seem to indicate that the Callicoon train station may soon suffer the fate of the Hancock, Deposit and Narrowsburg stations which were all destroyed by ConRail in less than a day and a half to the surprise of area residents. Anonymous report has it that workers have been told to be ready to vacate the premises in less than an hour. Town of Delaware Supervisor Craig Stewart has heard no report of such rumor and Bob Curri, southern tier division engineer for ConRail, said, “There’s no truth to those rumors. There is no evacuation plan that I’m aware of.” According to town historian Mary Curtis, the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River passed a resolution to indicate that they did not want the station torn down. Contact has been made with Congressman Ben Gilman enlisting his aid to save the historic landmark.

Charlie Crist of Monticello, author of “Charlie’s Days,” a column in the Sullivan County Democrat, is one of nine local authors to be invited to a recent authors’ day in the Sheraton Hotel in Middletown.

Janet Klein, daughter of Edward Baum of Jeffersonville, and William Poupeney of Guttenberg, N.J., was married to Vaughn LeRoy on December 14 at King’s Catering in Livingston Manor. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred LeRoy of Youngsville.

Kelly Case, top lady reinsman in the United States last year, has announced plans to make Monticello her home in 1985. She has a lifetime record of 181 victories and has already driven a two-minute winner (a sign of excellence in the harness game).

30 Years Ago - 1995

Fallsburg Supervisor Frank Kaplan, in the company of Fallsburg Police Chief Brent Lawrence and Sullivan County Manager Linda Green, called a press conference on Tuesday to deny that the town is considering abolishing its police department. There are presently 18 men on the police force and includes a K-9 dog, Kenya. Fallsburg is the only town in Sullivan County to have its own police department, roughly the size of the Sullivan County’s Sheriff’s Department.

Western Sullivan Family Medicine, owned by Dr. George Gould, has moved the office to Youngsville. Dr. Gould has Rob Kahn, RNP, and Anne Gould, as officer manager, on his staff.

Pete Sigelakis, Gregg Sipple and Walt Sipple, all members of the Callicoon Kiwanis Club, were “race officials” at the Webelo Pack No. 113 Pine Derby Races held Wednesday at the Delaware Valley Central School. The Callicoon Kiwanis contributed $200 recently to the troop as part of their ongoing youth support of Pack 113.

Welcome to Eric James Pfeister, son of James and Jennifer Pfeister of Wurtsboro, who was born December 31 at the Horton Memorial Hospital in Middletown. A daughter, Carli Nicole Eldred, was born to Todd and Doreen Eldred of Beach Lake, Pa., on January 10 and a daughter, Katie Elizabeth, was born to Michael and Jody Schanil of Obernburg on December 24, both at the Horton Hospital.

Bertha Baker, aged 92, of Bethel has had a book of poetry, “View from Hurd Road: The Poetry of Bertha Baker,” published. It is a collection of poems she had written throughout her many years. The book was edited by Allan Dampman who says, “Bertha is a very independent woman and putting the book together was an act of love on her part to share with others.”

20 Years Ago - 2005

The future of the Sullivan County Landfill turned increasingly bleak last week as it was announced the Regional Office of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation would hold up its issuance  of a permit for Cell 6 by four months.

After nearly a decade of spring/summer/fall efforts and winter expos, what does Sullivan First have to show for itself? Revitalized main streets, new parks and gardens, an artistically created sign for virtually every hamlet, a new sense of community responsibility, the formation of Sullivan Renaissance, and the creation of a $20 million New York State program modeled after it, according to State Senator John Bonacic. At the 9th annual Sullivan First winter forum and expo, Bonacic presented the founder of the group, Sandra Gerry, with a $75,000 grant to help fund beautification projects.

Members of the International Surgical Mission Support gave up their vacations to visit Third World countries in need of medical expertise. Two area healthcare workers are part of the group – Ellen Herfield and Mike Sherwood.

The Carl Richards band, a six-piece outfit, entertained the crowd of hundreds at the Wurtsboro Winterfest.

Kristin Miller, daughter of Roy and Peggy Miller of Tyler Hill, Pa., and Darryl Emmett, son of Elaine and Darryl Emmett of Hortonville, were married at the home of her grandparents, Margaret Harsch and the late Edward Harsch. The bride is also the grandddaughter of Mary Miller and the late Nelson Miller. The groom is the grandson of the late Bernie and Gwendlyn Kurtz.

Maggie and Ryan Calkin of White Sulphur Springs announce the engagement of their daughter, Meghan Muccino, to Devin Day, son of Donna and Dennis Day of White Sulphur Springs.

10 Years Ago - 2015

David Cross’ new dark comedy HITS was shot in Liberty and  explores the nature of fame in 21st Century YouTube America. The film takes place in a small town in upstate New York populated by people who trade in unrealistic expectations. It’s a story in which fame, delusion, earnestness, and recklessness meet, shake hands, and disrupt the lives around them. The movie is unrated.

Work is advancing throughout this winter in downtown Hurleyville, where the Center for Discovery has acquired various properties to create a model business corridor attractive to visitors, staff, clients and their families. In addition to renovating a former factory to create a Makers’ Lab (an inventing center, complete with 3-D printers), the Center is building from scratch a dance studio at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Main Street (County Route 104). The two-story facility will house a for-profit dance studio and other performance space for use by the Center, possibly opening this year.

The White Lake Fire Company responded to a two-alarm structure fire at a trailer home on Claude Lane Friday morning. The residence belonged to former fire chief and lifelong member Rich Hendrickson. There were no injuries, said White Lake Chief Brendan Cunningham, “except one cat that was treated for smoke inhalation.” It was a bitter cold morning in White Lake when the call came in at 11:12 a.m. In addition to the White Lake, Kauneonga Lake and Smallwood fire departments, Lake Huntington supplied a tanker truck while Yulan helped to set up a water supply. Battalion 1 Commander Joe Mellan, MobileMedic, and NYSEG were also on the scene.