150 Years Ago - 1874

The Sullivan County Record was six years old in 1874. (Editor’s Note: The Sullivan County Democrat obtained the rights to print this popular column upon the demise of the Jeffersonville-based newspaper in the early 1970s.)

To preserve clothing pins they should be boiled a few moments and quickly dried once or twice a month, when they become flexible and durable. Clotheslines will last longer and keep in better order for washday service if occasionally treated in the same manner.

The Port Jervis Union declares itself well satisfied with the favorable reception which has been awarded its proposition made in a former issue of deeding the populous and popular Orange County Town of Deerpark to the County of Sullivan. The advantages which would accrue from such action might prove beneficial to both parties, but more particularly to our neighbors. However, we find no detriment in this respect; communities as well as individuals are entitled to a thorough study of their interests.

Mark Twain sails for home next Monday.

The public debt has increased from $8,455,272 during the past month.

140 Years Ago - 1884

North Branch reports excellent sleighing since December 21.

Large quantities of wood are being hauled at present. At this rate our forests will soon entirely disappear and then we will have to buy coal.

The few goods left in stock by the absconding Fabian Reel were sold on the 24th and 25th. The prices were much less than regular wholesale prices for the same quality of goods.

The snow is about eight inches deep  in the valley in eastern Sullivan.

There is at present a great many hoops being manufactured in the valley. Jacob Weyman of Summitville is buying them.

The following is a list of letters remaining uncalled for in the Post Office in Jeffersonville, January 1, 1884: Mrs. Mary Kib, Miss Libbie Kratz, Rev. A. Herbert Geisner and John Beck.

At Jeffersonville January 1st, V.H. St. John of Acidalia and Helen Strain of Roscoe were married by Philip Metzger, Esq.

Aimiran Halstead of Acidalia and Miss Tine Kleingartner of Fremont Center were married January 1st by Mr. Metzger.

130 Years Ago - 1894

The entire upper end of Narrowsburg was swept by fire.

On Christmas Day, at 2 p.m., Mary, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Israel Barnhart of Beaverkill, was joined in matrimony to Alfred M. Owens of Beaverkill.

Thomas F. Keller of Liberty and Miss Maggie Keough of Liberty were married on Monday.

Arthur Barnhart and Miss Lavinnie Wood, both of White Sulphur Springs, were married January 1.

Jacob Werlau and Miss Maggie Doetsch were united in marriage at the residence of the bride’s father, H. Doetsch. The ceremony was performed by Rev. S. Muery of Hortonville. They will immediately begin housekeeping in rooms over the Union Creamery of which Mr. Werlau is in charge.

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Balser Fuhrer of Rockland December 29.

Mrs. Esther Young, widow of Esquire William Young, died Monday of bronchitis at the residence of her son in Liberty, aged over 88.

Miss Antoinette Starck, daughter of Charles Starck of Callicoon Depot, died at her home on December 29, at the age of 23.

The wife of J.J. Maybe, postmaster at Roscoe, died at her home the forepart of the week.

Kollikoon Tribe No. 93, LORM, recently elected the following chiefs: Sachem John H. Glassel; Senior Sagamore August Schmidt; Junior Sagamore Peter S. Hubert; Prophet William P. Miller; Chief of Records Valentine Scheidell and Keeper of Wampum, William F. Grishaber.

120 Years Ago - 1904

The farm of Louis Rose, located east of Kenoza Lake, caught fire from a defective flue about 1:30 Sunday and a short time later was consumed together with most of its contents.

Rev. William Ferrie, A.M., died December 29 at his residence in Monticello, aged nearly 89 years. For nearly a score of years, Mr. Ferrie was one of the most distinguished, active and well-known ministers of the gospel in Sullivan County.

After a year and a half of suffering from a cancerous tumor, Mrs. John McCrea died Monday night at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William Norris at Briscoe, aged 57 years.

George Schneider, a young man well known in Jeffersonville, where he spent the past summer months, perished in the Iroquois Theatre fire in Chicago on December 30. He was a nephew of Mrs. Valentine Scheidell.

Under the Star: With the new year, the editorial policy of the Sullivan County Record, heretofore under the present management of nearly 13 years, strictly neutral as regards party principles or platforms, turns over a new leaf and takes up the case of democracy. We do so because we believe in democratic principles. We propose to advocate these principles and to support editorially all good men and measures who truly and faithfully represent them. (Editorial in January 2, 1964 issue states: “During the entire 20th century the paper has had no reason to back away from the cause as espoused. Thirty-two of the sixty years following the editorial have been under Democratic leadership... so Bill Lieb decided to go with the Star sixty years ago, he certainly knew what he was doing...”)

The policy shall in no way curtail, interfere with or bias our news service, which we will continue to be the best that we, with the assistance of our esteemed correspondents, can make it.

110 Years Ago - 1914

After an illness of eight months, George Homer died at his home in Callicoon, December 24, at the age of 59 years.

James H. Colwell, aged 86 years and a native of Bethel, died at his home December 20.

J.C. Young has installed a milking machine in his cow stables just outside of Liberty village. The machine milks six cows at one time and is operated by a two horsepower electric motor, which drives a compressed air suction pump. Rubber suction nipples are attached to the cow’s udder and in this way the milk is drawn into an airtight vacuum vessel, insuring uncontaminated milk.

Eat, drink and be miserable!

The electric light company is erecting poles and wires along the various streets in Jeffersonville to furnish lights for the streets and houses and the company expects to have the current on here shortly.

Callicoon Lodge of Jeffersonville (F.&A.M.) on Saturday night elected the following officers: Master Valentine Scheidell, Senior Warden Charles O. Wilkin, Junior Warden Fred. W. Schadt, Treasurer Charles Schmidt, Secretary Andrew M. Kohler, and Trustee William Bollenbach.

Lincoln Chapter, OES, Jeffersonville, elected the following officers: Matron Mrs. Ellen Schmidt, Patron Wm. Knell, Associate Matron Mrs. Mary A. Kohler, Treasurer Mrs. Mary T. Kohler, Secretary Elizabeth Schmidt, Conductress Mrs. Emma Wilkin, Associate Conductress Mrs. Rhoda K. Yager, and Trustee Dr. C.O. Wilkin.

The Town of Callicoon tax rate is 2.0294 state and county and 9.1386 on $100 evaluation.

The Town Clerks in Sullivan County have been notified to be prepared to furnish the dog license tags under the new dog tax law which goes into effect January 1. The tax is the same as under the old system with the addition of 25 cents for the license tag.

100 Years Ago - 1924

A very pretty home wedding occurred at the home of J.C. Branning of Narrowsburg, December 29, when his daughter, Edna Mae, was married to Ernest George Maybe of Marlboro.

Miss Jennie Laymon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Laymon of the Town of Bethel, was united in marriage to Harrison J. Townsend of Hurd on November 28. 

Miss Mildred Fitch, formerly of Long Eddy, and Harold Haines of Binghamton were married at the latter’s place on New Year’s Day. She is a sister of Mrs. William Deckelman.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert McNickle of Monticello announce the engagement of their daughter, Hazel, to Raymond McSween.

Louisa Kimball, widow of Louis G. Goodman, died at her home in North Branch Saturday, December 29, in her 85th year. She was born in Ellenville April 6, 1839, a daughter of Sylvanus Kimball and Sarah C. Hudlar, who ten years later settled in North Branch. Her death occurred on the anniversary of her marriage, December 29, 1858. Mr. Goodman, who was well-known as a butcher in western Sullivan County preceded her in death 20 years ago.

90 Years Ago - 1934

George Reznicek, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Reznicek of the Hotel Jefferson, left last week to take an engineering job with the Amsterdam Construction Company who are building an addition to the state hospital in Orangeburg in Rockland County. George was graduated in 1931 and this is the first chance he has had at a job.

Mrs. Flora Grant, widow of Osmer Grant of White Sulphur Springs, and Wright Denman of Livingston Manor, were married December 27.

Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Lindsley entertained members of their families at their home in White Sulphur Springs on New Year’s Day, the occasion being the wedding anniversaries of both Mr. and Mrs. Lindsley’s parents: Mrs. and Mrs. Andrew Von Bergen were married 34 years ago and Mrs. and Mrs. J.B. Lindsley 32 years ago.

A roast beef dinner was given at the home of Mrs. John Essman Monday evening, January 1, to announce the engagement of Miss Catherine McLaughlin of Fosterdale to Charles Segar of Jeffersonville.

Sunday, December 25, was the occasion of Mr. and Mrs. Ross Baldwin’s 25th wedding anniversary.

Minnie Idalia Neiger, widow of Edward C. Neiger, died at her home in Kenoza Lake.

Jacob Theis, for many years a carpenter in the Town of Cochecton, died at his home at Lake Huntington on December 28 at the age of 80.

80 Years Ago - 1944

Arch F. Armstrong of Liberty, elected County Treasurer last fall, took over the office January 1 which Roy C. Johnston held for 12 years. Mrs. Beatrice Manchester of Liberty will remain as assistant in the office now under civil service.

Jacob Drucker, alleged killer for the Brooklyn murder ring, who was captured on December 27 after a three-year search, was arraigned yesterday before Judge George L. Cooke and was promised a speedy trial under five first degree murder indictments. District Attorney Ben Newburg took over the prosecution from William Deckelman, retiring district attorney.

Miss Alma Knack, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Knack of White Sulphur Springs, and a teacher in Youngsville Central School, and Lewis Denman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wright Denman of Livingston Manor, were married Christmas Day at Liberty.

70 Years Ago - 1954

Miss Joan Stratton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Stratton, became the bride of Leonard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gabel. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Leroy Herzog at the groom’s residence on December 27.

The engagement of Miss Helen Bressler, daughter of Herman Bressler, Liberty, to Cpl. Robert J. Sherwood, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Sherwood of Livingston Manor, was announced on Christmas Day.

Mary Shaara celebrated her birthday on Saturday, January 2, although her 9th birthday actually falls on the 4th. Present for the event were her sister, Virginia Ann, Tom Swords, Patty Puerschner, Mary and Bill Tegeler and the Shaara family.

Miss Audrey Weltsch, daughter of the late Herbert Weltsch and Marie Neumann of Swiss Hill, was married to Werner Grautner of Bloomfield on December 13.

Harry Schuler, former owner of the Tumble Inn and the Jeff Cleaners, has been named multiple dwelling enforcement officer by the Town Board of the Town of Callicoon.

Mr. and Mrs. John J. Durland gave a New Year’s Eve party at their new home in St. Petersburg, Fla. Those present were Mrs. M. Pesci of Swiss Hill, Mrs. S. Waldeck of Youngsville, Mrs. Strum, formerly of Jeffersonville, Mrs. R. Hornicek and Mrs. Schaefer of Lake Huntington, Mr. and Mrs. Komancheck of Bethel and Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Durand of Fosterdale.

Harry C. Gorr, 44, a lifetime resident of Jeffersonville, died suddenly at his home here Tuesday. He is survived by his wife, three children, Ronald, Jean and John; his father and eleven brothers and sisters. By occupation a painter, Mr. Gorr had lived all his life in Jeffersonville and was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

60 Years Ago - 1964

Two brutal and senseless axe murders were committed early New Year’s Day in a Smallwood home. Dead are Joseph Scott McAdam, 49, and Judith Meddaugh, 19, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vinton Meddaugh of Kauneonga Lake. The murder was committed by Frank Scaramuzzo, a 24-year-old Army private who was on leave. His ex-fiancee, Florence Lucille, who is 20, whom he also attacked, is in the Monticello Hospital where her condition is reported as “slightly improved.”

Mrs. Irene Andresen of Fosterdale announces the engagement of her daughter, Carol Theresa, to Donald Edwards, son of Mr. and Mrs. Adna Edwards of Youngsville.

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Steffens of Callicoon RFD, have announced the engagement of their daughter, Karen Marie, to Wendell Robert Armbrust of Callicoon RFD. A spring wedding is planned.

Mr. and Mrs. Bert Medlar of Callicoon have announced the engagement of their daughter, Shirley Frances, to David Goodenough, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Goodenough of Rileyville, Pa.

The principal of the Delaware Valley Central School, Charles E. Lewis, will retire at the end of the school year. He has been principal of the Callicoon school since 1930.

The engagement of Patricia A. Metzger to Andrew Segar, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Segar of Briscoe, was announced by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Raymond of White Lake and Whitestone.

The Breakstone Foods Division of National Dairy Products in Youngsville has discontinued use of local milk and the 19 farmers who have been shipping to that creamery have been forced to take their milk elsewhere. Fifteen of the 19 have been shipping milk to the Sullivan County Dairy Co-op, Dairy Assoc. in Jeff. The additional shipments have increased the volume by an average of 100-120 cans a day. A spokesman for the creamery said that the total production for 1963 was 20,158,390, an increase of almost 2 1/2 million pounds over 1962 production.

The Holy Cross Church in Callicoon was the scene of the Sunday, December 22, wedding of Miss Barbara Bernitt, daughter of Mrs. Willis Bernitt of Callicoon, to Lance Corporal James R. Hahl, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hahl of North Branch.

Miss Carolyn Ann Carter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Early Thomas Carter of Clarksville, Kentucky, and Lieut. Robert C. Meyer of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cameron Meyer of Lake Huntington were married Saturday, December 14.

Sometime in March, World’s Fair exhibitors, who are now rushing completion of their pavilions at Flushing Meadow Park in Queens, will begin flooding New York Telephone with rush orders for more than 7,000 instruments. The installations will be of the most advanced telephone designs available anywhere in the world when the fairgrounds are equipped with the fast, new Touch-Tone push-button dialing, making the World’s Fair the first major push-button telephone installation in the world. What is more, callers at any public phone booth will be able to dial directly to points throughout the country.

50 years ago - 1974

Mr. and Mrs. Emil Pfeifer of Obernburg have announced the engagement of their daughter, Kathleen A., to Robert G. Schaefer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Schaefer of Jeffersonville.

A first grandson for Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Knipscher Sr. of Roscoe was born December 10 to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Knipscher in Kensington, Md.

V. Edward Curtis, vice-president of Curtis Nurseries in Callicoon, has been appointed to a three year term on the Plant Science advisory committee at the State University of Agriculture and Technology at Delhi.

40 Years Ago - 1984

Assemblyman William J. Larkin Jr. (R-C-95) has announced that he will co-sponsor a measure during the 1984 legislative session to lower the initial cost of volunteer firefighter license plates from $15 to $5, and possibly make the plates free each year thereafter. “The brave men and women who serve as firefighters in the state of New York deserve to be recognized for what they do,” Larkin said. The newly available plate will feature the Maltese cross and the distinctive letters “VF” and was approved last year by the Legislature.

New laws that took effect on January 1, 1984, are designed to the driving privileges of convicted, impaired or intoxicated drivers, withhold the driving privileges of certain repeat drunken driving offenders for longer periods, and provide information to new drivers about the effects and consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Sara Ann Ranner was the first baby born in 1984 at Honesdale’s Wayne Memorial Hospital. She arrived at 12:21 a.m. and weighed 7 lbs. 14 1/2 oz. Her parents are Joseph and Donna Ranner of Honesdale... At the Community General Hospital in Harris, the first baby of the year was Joseph Brian Lake III, son of Yvonne and Joseph Lake II. He arrived at 2:19 a.m. on Tuesday, January 3, and weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz.

Sullivan County Community College’s soccer team, in only its second year of existence, had four players named to the Region XV all-star team. Coach Mary Ann Lounsbury, who formerly coached at Jeff-Y before taking over at SCCC three years ago, said Thursday that Margaret Dwyer (from Washingtonville), Lisa Hendrickson (Roscoe), Kathleen Ellison (Grahamsville), and Kim Coots (Jeff) were all named to the all-star squad. The latter three are all freshmen at the college and will be back next year.

30 Years Ago - 1994

A Monday morning fire gutted the Fern Manor Home for Adults in Kenoza Lake, sending one firefighter to the hospital and causing the evacuation of 15 elderly residents.

A house at the Apple Pond Farm just outside of Callicoon Center was leveled by fire Thursday evening. Multiple rekindles of the fire caused problems for firefighters well into the next day. Nearly one dozen fire companies were involved in fighting the blaze. No one was in the structure when the fire started.

Sullivan County’s first baby born in 1994 was Victoria Ulaj, born January 1 at 10:10 a.m. at Community General Hospital in Harris. She is the daughter of Fila and Nicky Ulaj of Monticello... Ada Jean Roth, daughter of Karen McBride Roth and John Robert Roth of Milanville, Pa., was the first baby born at Wayne Memorial in Honesdale, Pa. arriving at 5:19 a.m. on January 1.

The VFW Voice of Democracy speech competition held at Clarence Hoyt VFW Post No. 9217 in Liberty was won by Jennifer Stiglich, a junior at Liberty Central School.

20 Years Ago - 2004

The first baby of the new year in Sullivan County is also the first daughter for Erin Smith and her husband Stephen Rodriguez. Mariel Ann Rodriguez arrived at 7:08 a.m. on January 1 at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. ....Sarah Mae Schalck made her grand debut at 2:49 a.m. on January 2, becoming the first baby born in 2004 at Wayne Memorial in Honesdale, Pa. She is the daughter of Jennifer and Ronald Schalck Jr. of Narrowsburg.

As the Liberty Bell touched down in front of the Liberty Museum and Arts Center on Main Street, Liberty, a neon sign changed from 2003 to 2004 and the crowd of hundreds on North Main Street clapped and hugged each other as they welcomed in the new year.

The Town of Bethel board handed out several awards to people who assisted the township in one or another. Richard Yeomans was honored for his work as Highway Superintendent from 1994-2003. Donna Yeomans was awarded for her work as Dog Control Officer from 1987-2003. Lynden Lilley was honored for his service as a councilman from 1994-2003. He will assume the role of Highway Superintendent.

Ruth Clements was honored for 25 years of membership at the December meeting of the Beaverkill Chapter of the Nat’l. Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) held at Albert’s restaurant in Liberty.

The engagement of Samantha Squires of Callicoon, daughter of Alma Smith and Thomas Squires, to Russell Lyons, son of Linda Lyons, has been announced. A June 2005 wedding is planned.

A daughter, Emily Anne, was born to Bryan and Jodi Bair of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on November 11, 2003.

A daughter, Katherine Inez, was born Wednesday, January 7, 2004, at the Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, Pa. to Patti and Roger Widmann of Callicoon. She has an older brother, Roger Jr., at home.

The Callicoon couple Skip and Noreen Mudge write from their winter home in Lake Placid, Fla., to report that they have just enjoyed a fun-filled family reunion, with all six Mudge children – David, Pam, Caryl, Jean, Barbara and Kathy-Jo – in the same room together for the first time since 1990. Back then there was just one grandchild; this time, there were a noisy 15 adding to the holiday season throng at Disney World.

10 Years Ago - 2014

A Sullivan West school bus slid off an icy, wet road yesterday morning. SW Superintendent Nancy Hackett said the driver had come to a stop on Hungry Hill Road in Long Eddy because there were two stopped, possibly stuck vehicles ahead of the bus. Hungry Hill is a dirt road in Delaware County’s Town of Hancock, just over the Sullivan border but still within SW’s district boundaries. No one was injured, the bus wasn’t damaged, and the students made it to school (albeit late), thanks to an elementary bus that was making a run in the area.

“This is a team honor and all the coaches and players share in this honor,” “Coach” Fred Ahart told the large audience January 4 at the official dedication of the Roscoe Central School “Coach” Fred Ahart Gymnasium. This honor is reserved as one of the highest honors given a coach but Ahart strongly noted, “the coaches and players are equally important in this process.” Ahart also expressed high admiration for his family and in particular his wife, Becky, for their support in his many years of coaching.

Army Cpl. Ken Charles of Wurtsboro received the Army Commendation Medal for his service during two tours of Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.