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Down the Decades

July 21, 2020 Edition

Compiled by Lee Hermann, Muse, & Ruth Huggler
Posted 7/21/20

140 Years Ago - 1880

The population of the town of Cochecton numbers 1230. In 1875, the population was 1504. The oldest person is Sally Dougherty, 95 years of age, and the oldest man, named Mason, …

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Down the Decades

July 21, 2020 Edition

Posted

140 Years Ago - 1880

The population of the town of Cochecton numbers 1230. In 1875, the population was 1504. The oldest person is Sally Dougherty, 95 years of age, and the oldest man, named Mason, is 90 years. He was with Commodore Perry at the battle of Lake Erie.

Adam Reg, our village butcher, has disappeared and it is supposed that he has performed the feat called “skipping a gutter.”

The oldest person in the town of Delaware is Mary E. Austin, aged 89. There are 11 others whose ages range from 70 to 86. Joseph Anderson, aged 80 years, came to Sullivan from Greene County when a young man, settled in Beechwoods, cleared a farm and raised a large family of children, the late Judge Isaac Anderson being one of them.

North Branch — H.C. Mootz is working his flagstone quarry. He has lately been getting out some very fine stone for cellar tables, from three to four feet wide and six to seven feet long.

130 Years Ago - 1890

Callicoon, July 8 — Two or three hundred spectators watched the game here this afternoon between the Red Stars of Callicoon Depot and the Roscoe Club on Ludwig's flat. The Stars won 13 to 10 with Thorwelle pitching and Sullivan catching.

Phil and Conrad Knack of North Branch called on us the other day.

The main shaft of the creamery broke the other day, causing a delay for a short time.

The arch bridge is reaching completion. The First team crossed over the rough arch Saturday afternoon.

The Jeffersonville Band has already been engaged to play at the reunion at Monticello, August 27. The Grand Army men are making early preparations.

Policeman Fred Lober of New York purchased Simon Diehl's residence in Jeffersonville last Tuesday for $2,500.

120 Years Ago - 1900

Mrs. Isaac Cogswell of Livingston Manor died of dropsy July 2, aged 53. Born in Ulster County, she moved to the town of Rockland in 1860. Her husband and one son, Willett of Liberty, survive.

Catherine, wife of Jacob Reiner of near Roscoe, died July 3, aged 64. A native of Germany, she lived in this country many years, and is survived by her husband and five children.

Peter Hubert, the Jeffersonville and Liberty mail carrier, has from two to four teams on the road every day carrying passengers and baggage over into this section.

A new three-seated surrey and a pair of heavy horses have been added to Durr's Livery. The horses were brought from New York by Harry Kayser and Jacob Schlagel last week.

110 Years Ago - 1910

E.F. Watson of Roscoe won the Cornell state scholarship for Sullivan County. He will study electrical engineering.

The Strongtown creamery was closed down June 25 for lack of patronage. Some of the farmers refused to deliver milk because their milk checks for May and June, and in some cases for April, had not been received. Some of the farmers offered to sell their accounts for fifty cents on the dollar.

The Pastime Orchestra, composed of E.F. Manny, Frank Mootz and Miss Elizabeth Knell with Joseph Welch as cashier, has leased DeLap's Kenoza Lake dance hall and will run the weekly dances there this summer. The orchestra will also run Wednesday night dances at the Mansion House and Thursday night dances at Durr's Hall in Youngsville.

Rudolph Gute has purchased a Ford car.

John Abplanalp of Youngsville has bought Tom Smith's rig.

At the service in the Presbyterian Church Sunday afternoon in Youngsville, Rev. Stadelmann spoke against Sunday ball playing and declared it his intention to put a stop to it here, by invoking the aid of the law, if necessary.

100 Years Ago - 1920

Pongee dresses are quite the rage by juvenile society this season. Touches of embroidery in contrasting colors, self ruffles, self tucking and cording are perhaps the most popular trimming touches. Street frocks of black taffeta are finished with very deep circular cuffs of the same, with a turn-back cuff of white handkerchief linen. Plaited serge skirts are much in favor.

When the local committee met with Miss Graham, a representative of the Community Chautauqua, Monday morning, final plans for the first summer Chautauqua Festival at Callicoon was advanced toward completion. It has been decided to hold the three-day affair in the big 50x80 foot tent, supplied by the organization, and to pitch this on some open lot near the village. Guernsey T. Cross was appointed by President Bergner as chairman of the ticket committee. Henry Buddenhagen was appointed chairman of the grounds committee. Edw. E. Dwyer, treasurer of the committee, will serve as cashier at the tent.

Major Hamilton Fish Jr., chairman of the 15th American Legion District of New York State, is being advanced as a candidate for the Republican nomination for congressman from the 26th District, comprising Orange, Putnam and Dutchess counties.

There is a current rumor afloat and it seems to be well authenticated that G.C. Abraham of Washington, D.C., has bought the old home back from T.A. Olver and will occupy it as a summer resident. — Damascus Corresp.

Milly Brey of Callicoon Center and Daniel MacDonald of Maspeth, LI, were married June 30… Adelia Schaffer of Cook's Falls was married June 30 to Anthony Coney of the same place… Louis Weisner of Callicoon and Frank Fluhs of Brooklyn were married at St. Joseph's College on June 30.

90 Years Ago - 1930

Camp Equinunk is well filled. They had over 180 guests for the Fourth of July and set off a fine fireworks display in the evening. — Stalker Corresp.

The town board of Forestburgh met Tuesday and appointed Thos. Toomey supervisor to serve out the unexpired term of the late Supervisor Edw. Woods who died last week at the age of 60.

According to a legal notice published elsewhere in the July 16 issue of the Sullivan County Democrat, bids for the construction of Route 3-A will be received at the office of J.W. Holler, Binghamton, until August 5th. The 7 and a half miles of road specified in said contract is from Mongaup to Pond Eddy and Pond Eddy to Barryville… The right of way for the construction of Route 17 from Hancock to East Branch were all to be secured by July 2, in order that the state may get said route on the list for the July or August letting.

The Olympia Hotel has been sold to Emil Karg of Monticello, at present operating Joe's Inn near that place. He is to take possession today.

Captain Fox of the Sidney Barracks of the State Troopers and thirty of his troopers were located at the Lenape Hotel in Liberty over the weekend and during that time they are said to have cleaned up Sullivan County. The reason for the unexpected turn of events given that gangdom has thrown down the gauntlet of law and order, and the State Police have accepted the challenge, brought on by the shooting of David Siegel at Fallsburg last Tuesday evening.

The Public Service Commission held two hearings in Deposit on Saturday in regard to petitions of the Erie Railroad for permission to discontinue service of an agent at its Hales Eddy station and the Skinner's Falls station.

80 Years Ago - 1940

Walter A. Schwarz, president of the Route 97 Council, is busy these days making plans for the “97 Day” in Narrowsburg on August 7. Further plans will be made tomorrow night with a meeting at Huff's Delaware Valley Inn in Hankins. At present, the mountain laurel is in full bloom along the 70-mile $4 million highway which extends from Port Jervis to Hancock along the Delaware River. The road is open its entire length and there is no construction going on at the present time.

Miss Mildred Neumann and Allen Stephenson were married at the White Lake Methodist parsonage on June 30. They were attended by Jack and Miss Anna Reilly of Hurd… Ethel Brey of Kenoza Lake and Oscar Schaefer were united in marriage at the Callicoon Center parsonage on June 29. Witnesses were Alice Schaefer and Jesse Moulthrop… Hilda Marie Neumann of Callicoon and Forest Stalker of Galilee, Pa., were united in marriage at the bride's home on June 30. They were attended by Francis “Bob” Evans and Miss Helen Chandler. For their honeymoon, they will attend the World's Fair in New York City… Elma Esther Karo of Hankins became the bride of Victor Valaitis on June 30 with the Rev. Fr. Adrian McGonnell officiating at the ceremony held at Holy Cross Chapel.

The purchase of three school buses will be presented to voters of the Delaware Valley Central School on Tuesday. The total expenditure would be $12,000 for the vehicles and payments would be spread over five years.

Social Security payments, ranging from $10 to $85 a month, are being received by 256 individuals in Orange, Rockland and Sullivan counties, it was announced by George H. Rowe Jr., manager of the Newburgh Field Office.

70 Years Ago - 1950

The election of a woman to the Board of Education and the unprecedented attendance of almost 200 taxpayers highlighted the annual meeting of Jeff School District No. 1 Tuesday night. Mrs. Charles P. Hick defeated the incumbent board member up for reelection, John P. Taylor, 54 to 52. The budget was approved 58 to 48.

The annual shooting match of the Callicoon Center Scheutzen Verein was held on their range at Norman Bury's on July 9th. Top score was by Robert Dowitsch with 126, followed by Gerald Mootz, 125; Archie Misner, 124; Wilfred Weiss and Allan Fried, 119; Gerald Newman, 115; and Robert Schmidt, 114. Douglas Bury shot 112; Adolph Wagner, 109; Clinton Segar, 107; and Robert Knack, 106. The Callicoon Center Band furnished music in the afternoon. Officers elected for the year were Wm. Klinger, Capt.; Leland Henry, Secretary, and Clarence Krantz, Treasurer. Twenty-five new members were taken into the Verein this year.

The Village of Jeffersonville was deeply shocked last Sunday evening to learn of the sudden death of one of its best-liked young men. Paul G. Schwartz, aged 24, was the victim of a heart attack. Paul had played baseball Sunday afternoon and complained of feeling ill and had gone home. When he complained of pain, he was rushed to the Callicoon Hospital by Warren Meyers. All efforts there failed and he died at 6:37 p.m. Born in Liberty, June 9, he was the son of Paul Schwartz and the late Johanna Bahan, and was a resident of Jeffersonville for the last 21 years. He attended J.C.S. , served in the Marines for two years and was employed by the Liberty Asphalt Distributing Company. He is survived by his father, Paul Schwartz Sr., his brother Joseph, and three sisters, Mrs. Mary Baum, Mrs. Louis Mall and Mrs. Harold Bryan of Buffalo; and 9 nieces and nephews.

60 Years Ago - 1960

The Hortonville Presbyterian Church will begin its centennial celebration on July 23. Former pastors and parishioners are invited to join them for a special service.

The Al Tonjes family have moved into the Layman house in the Beechwoods which they recently purchased.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Thony on the birth of a daughter Saturday at the Callicoon Hospital.

The Sullivan County Historical Society will dedicate, at Sentinel Rock in the Minisink Battlefield, a bronze marker Friday, July 22, on the 181st anniversary of the battle.

The 1959 Census of Agriculture, conducted in Sullivan last Fall, counted 1,034 farms, a drop of 416 since 1954.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph D. Schmidt of Callicoon Center announce the engagement of their daughter, Audrey, to Harold Von Dolin of Bay Shore, LI. They are both teachers in Levittown, LI.

Arthur Brey, a dairy farmer in Ferndale, died July 13 at Liberty -Loomis Hospital. He was born June 27, 1900, in Callicoon Center, the son of Frank and Amelia Hust Brey… Anna Dametz, 75, a resident of Youngsville, died July 13 at Liberty-Loomis.

50 years ago - 1970

An inspection tour will be open to the public at the new Grover M. Hermann Hospital, two miles south of Callicoon on Route 97, on July 12. The $1.5 million structure is nearly 60 percent complete.

The 1970 Canoe Regatta will be held July 26. A queen will be selected at the ball at the Delaware Youth Center Friday evening from potential candidates Susan Taylor, Sharon Caldiero, Nancy Pfaff and Eileen VanGinhoven.

The Class of 1950 of the Jeff-Youngsville Central School held its 20th class reunion on July 4 at Saulina's Hotel in Jeffersonville.

Progress is being made on the renovations of the Kelly Building in Lake Huntington which will be used as the garage and base of operations for the Town of Cochecton Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

The little chapel in the cemetery in Long Eddy has been refurbished and will be available for religious services later this summer. Of Queen Anne design, the chapel was given by Capt. Robert Halsey, together with the land for the cemetery during the 1870s. More recently it has been used as a tool and storage shed. Last year, members of the cemetery association decided that it was time to restore the chapel to its original intent — a place where mourners assemble for a last salute to the deceased and then leave the cemetery. A 19th Century Bible has now been restored to its rightful place on the lectern. The Bible survived years of neglect and is in good condition.

Kathy Cortese, representing the Narrowsburg Fire Department, was chosen as queen of the 1970 Fourth of July Celebration. Rose Eck, sponsored by the Livingston Manor Fire Department, was chosen as runner-up. Among the outstanding participants in the parade was the color guard of the New Hampton Training School and band.

The new post office at Roscoe will be constructed on the Heineman site along old Route 17.

40 Years Ago - 1980

Sgt. Willie Baker Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Baker Sr. of Monticello, has graduated from the Air Force Non-commissioned Officer Leadership School at Luke Air Force Base in Texas. His wife, Ruth, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Whitfield of Monticello. Sgt. Baker is a 1970 graduate of Fallsburg Central School.

Miss Barbara Krongel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Krongel, Jeffersonville, became the bride of E.C. Hamilton on May 24, 1980. The couple now live in Brooklyn where both are employed.

Anthony T. Lenox III of Troop 187, Grahamsville, received his Eagle Scout badge during recent ceremonies at the Tri-Valley Elementary School. He is the 28th boy to receive Scouting's highest award in the troop within the last eight years.

Neil Wallace, Republican candidate for the 27th District Congressional seat now held by Matt McHugh, was a visitor at the Democrat office recently. Both gentlemen are lawyers; both are from Ithaca.

Mary Ann Pytlak of Mineola, LI, became the bride of George Dirie of Livingston Manor on May 24 at St. Francis Church in Youngsville.

Mike Rhodes, son of the former Cindy Boll, joined other family members at the Greentrees home of Mrs. Walter (Mary Lou) Boll in Hortonville. He is the 7th generation on his maternal side to vacation there.

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Molusky (Jean Wood) celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary on June 28 with a party for friends and family at the Autumn Inn.

A fire, reported after 7 p.m. Sunday, sent firemen on a 12-hour battle at the Laurels Hotel in Sackett Lake. The front of the building that houses former offices and check-in points was ablaze from floor to the roof when firemen first arrived. Flames and smoke were visible for 25 miles or more. The three-story main building of the hotel, involved in controversial lawsuits, court actions over ownership and a county vs. owner dispute over unpaid taxes, lay in a mass of rubble, twisted steel girders and metal heating and air conditioning hardware. Nearly three hundred volunteer firemen from 14 companies battled the blaze.

A team of three men, one photographer and two archaeologists, have been in the Upper Delaware Valley recently surveying historical sites and important older buildings. They are doing a survey for the National Park Service which has purview over the river corridor from Hancock to Sparrowbush. Photographer Bruce Wrighton said some of the discovered Indian artifacts can be dated back about 10,000 years.

Over 150 people attended the Patriotic Centennial Celebration of the United Presbyterian Church in Livingston Manor on Sunday. The service honored the hostages held captive in Iran and was tape-recorded so that a copy could be sent to them as a reminder that they are still cared about here in America.

30 Years Ago - 1990

The 25th anniversary of the Barryville Pow Wow of the Indian League of the Americas was held the weekend of July 12-13. Mr. Ward Brower Jr., 84, whose Indian name means “the man who gave the land back,” gave the League 20 acres of land in Barry­ville. Pat Rice, treasurer of the League, estimated that as many as 2,000 people came to Barryville on Saturday and Sunday to sample Indian dancing, food and crafts. Her husband, Kenneth, is a Mohawk, who like many other members of his tribe, has worked high above the streets of New York City as an ironworker. They also helped to build the United Nations and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. Mr. Rice was in Callicoon early in the 1950s, working on the interstate bridge there. Mr. and Mrs. Rice are two of the 55 members of the League which was started in New York City 25 years ago as a social organization.

Members of the Woodridge High School, Class of 1940, met for a 50th reunion last Saturday at Bernie's Holiday Inn in Rock Hill. Naomi Krieger organized the get-together with 31 attending.

Miss Mindy Creamer of Narrowsburg was named Queen of the Narrowsburg 4th of July Parade on Wednesday. Jessica Burnette of Yulan took runner-up.

Father Edward Greene, 11-year pastor of St. George's Church in Jeffersonville and St. Francis R.C. Church in Youngsville, was honored in observance of his 45 years in the priesthood as 100 well-wishers gathered at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes on the premises of St. George's Church June 16. St. George's will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 1993.

On June 16, Mrs. Jane Eggleton, a 50-year resident of Roscoe, observed her 90th birthday at the Methol Hunting Club in East Branch. Sixty-four people came to wish Jane a Happy Birthday and many more.

Mrs. Marjory VanGinhoven was guest of honor at a gathering at the Western Hotel where she was feted after serving 23 years as district secretary of the Delaware Valley Central School District.

20 Years Ago - 2000

Fifteen months after Woody the Bear was senselessly cut off at the feet and stolen from his concrete base along Route 97 near the Cochecton Preservation Society, another bear now stands in his place. Members wanted to replace the stolen Woody sooner but had to wait until a suitable log became available. Recently, Bill Eschenberg of Callicoon came across such a sizeable log. Woodcarver Dick Guttzeit of Lake Huntington then used the pine log to carve Woody II, who weighs approximately 600 lbs.

Members of the county legislature's Executive Committee agreed to pay the law firm of Kronish, Lieb, Weiner & Hellman, LLP, up to $75,000 to handle yet another county bankruptcy case. Legislator Steven Kurlander was the only committee member to vote against the resolution. The firm has become a fixture in the Concord bankruptcy case and has billed the county more than $1.5 million in legal fees with regard to that case. They also recently settled another longstanding bankruptcy case involving Kaufman's Hillway View Cottages, in which the county was owed more than $400,000 in delinquent taxes.

The possibility that natural gas may come into Sullivan County inched closer to reality on Tuesday, July 11, when the Town of Fallsburg approved the gas franchises for NYSEG and Penny Natural Gas. The gas line NYSEG proposes goes through the towns of Forestburgh, Thompson, Fallsburg and the Village of Monticello. Thompson has already approved the franchise…The Penny's line is much larger in scope. Penny's line would go through ten towns and five villages. They include Thompson, Fallsburg, Liberty (all of which have approved the plan), Forestburgh, Bethel, Cochecton, Delaware, and Callicoon.

10 Years Ago - 2010

Town of Cochecton officials and contractors gathered to mark the start of the erection of a new town hall in Lake Huntintgon, situated behind the existing one.

The Villa Roma Resort and Conference Center has been recognized by Fodor's Travel, the foremost name in travel publishing, as a 2010 Fodor's Choice selection. This distinction recognizes the Villa Roma as a “leader in its field for service, quality and value.”

Seventy-eight-year-old Korean War veteran John DeSimone received his diploma from Monitcello High School on June 8, thanks to the Operation Recognition program. Initiated in 2005, Operation Recognition entitles veterans of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars to a high school diploma from any New York State public school. Monticello School officials created an easy procedure for veterans who would like to get a diploma from Monticello High School.

The Monticello High School Eco Club has had a very successful first year. The Eco Club received a $400 matching grant from Sullivan County Renaissiance to reestablish an organic garden by the middle school. The students also received over 100 packets of seeds from America the Beautiful, which they used as a fundraiser for the garden. The students donated the extra seeds and seedlings they started in the spring to Federation for the Homeless. The students will be donating the extra produce to the Federation.

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